There are two types of NCSS membership.

Full membership is applicable to agencies whose aims and objects are consistent with those of the Council and provides as its primary function a bona fide direct social service which helps to meet existing needs of the community.

Associate membership is applicable to agencies whose aims and objects are consistent with those of the Council and has an active interest in social service but which does not provide a direct social service as its primary function.
 

Please refer to the NCSS Act and its Subsidiary Legislations for details on the objects of the Council.

To be an NCSS member, the social service agency needs to fulfil the following conditions:

• The agency must be registered under the Business Registration Act or the Societies Act, incorporated under the Companies Act or established by or under any written law;
• The agency has been in operation for a continuous period of at least two years;
• The agency’s governing instruments and activities include objects that have an impact on the social service sector;
• For Full Membership, there should be a basic structure to the agency’s programme(s) as opposed to infrequent, ad-hoc activities. Some characteristics of structured programmes include clear programme objectives, regular activities to support the objectives, and the presence of a team of staff and/ or regular volunteers to conduct the activities; and
• The agency’s board has independent control, i.e. less than one-third of the board should be staff of the agency.

NCSS members are required to fulfil the obligations as prescribed in the NCSS Act and its Subsidiary Legislations. Briefly, members are required to:
 

• Submit to NCSS a certified copy of their annual report, audited accounts and balance-sheet within six months from the end of their financial year;
• Furnish to NCSS information with respect to its agency and functions;
• Comply with such standards and guidelines for the management and administration of, and the provision of social service which may from time to time be issued by NCSS;
• Make timely payment of membership fees.

  

^ A 10% discount is applicable for Triennial membership fees.
The Council reserves the right to review and adjust the membership fees.

Interested social service agencies are advised to read the NCSS Act and its Subsidiary Legislation before applying for membership.

[Download the latest list of NCSS Members] as of Apr 2022

To find out more about the social service sector and our member agencies, explore the Social Service Navigator now!