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National Council of Social Service

Social Service Sector Strategic Roadmap (4ST)

Explore the 5-year sector roadmap with key strategic thrusts, guiding the social service sector to transform lives and create meaningful change.

Last updated 2 June 2025
Banner for NCSS Social Service Sector Strategic Roadmap 2022-2026, featuring an arrow with icons.

Overview

The Social Service Sector Strategic Roadmap, formerly known as Social Service Sector Strategic Thrusts (4ST), was first introduced in 2017 as a five-year plan that extended until 2021. The roadmap brought together stakeholders from across Singapore’s social service sector and outlined a unified vision for the sector - to shape a society where "every person is empowered to live with dignity in a caring and inclusive society."

Following the launch of the roadmap in 2017, the social service sector encountered significant challenges and opportunities due to the COVID-19 pandemic and various global and local changes. These included evolving social issues, workforce transformations, rapid digitalisation, new forms of charitable giving, and a rise in volunteerism.

In response to these shifts, NCSS engaged stakeholders in 2021 to explore how the sector could adapt to these emerging trends and prepare for the future. This collaboration led to the development of the refreshed roadmap for 2022-2026.

Thumbnail for Strength in Unity: How Partnerships Are Shaping Singapore’s Social Service Sector

  • Executive summary [PDF, 127 KB]: Read a summary of the desired outcomes and the key strategic thrusts of the roadmap.

  • Full report [eBook]: Understand the four key strategic thrusts and recommendations that will guide our desired transformation of the sector.

  • Playbook [eBook]: A self-help guide for social service agencies to implement and achieve the desired outcomes in the strategic roadmap.

Learn more about 4ST

Banner featuring an arrow with icons. NCSS social service strategic roadmap 4st logo.

Strategic thrusts

Understand the key strategic thrusts and actionable steps to achieve desired outcomes.

Stacked wooden blocks labelled '4ST' and 'Progres'.

Progress reports

We’ve tracked the various milestones since the first edition of the roadmap was introduced in 2017.