Our mission and history

Vision

• Compassionate society

• Impactful sector

• Dignified lives

Mission

To develop a sustainable social service sector that improves quality of life.

Our history

From our beginnings as the Singapore Council of Social Service in 1958, to today, our organisation has evolved alongside the social service sector as it adapts to the changing needs of society. However, our goal of ensuring dignity and empowerment for individuals, families and communities remains unchanged over the years.

Listen to the NCSS Oral History Collection to follow the evolution of the social service landscape through the commitment of many individuals who have steered the course of social services in Singapore.

Key milestones

2024

Refreshing the brand for an enhanced role

• NCSS has evolved into a sector developer; addressing gaps and funding critical services in the social service landscape.

• We focus on building sector capabilities and mobilising resources from communities and corporations to support the sector.

• To reflect this enhanced role, we have refreshed our brand strategy and identity for a more integrated and holistic approach.

• This includes aligning Community Chest and Social Service Institute with the updated NCSS brand to signify this transformation.

Launching the Sustainable Philanthropy Framework

• NCSS introduced the Sustainable Philanthropy Framework to help businesses align social and business goals for lasting impact.

• Launched by Minister Masagos Zulkifli, it emphasizes the "Social" in ESG goals, promoting sustained giving and partnerships with social service agencies.

• Developed with input from over 100 businesses, the framework offers a playbook and resources to guide companies in driving community impact.

• Businesses can create meaningful social contributions while enhancing brand value and fostering long-term change.

2022

A tool for progress

• In 2022, NCSS launched the Sector Evaluation Framework (SEF), providing SSAs with a common tool to measure the impact of their programmes and services.

• The SEF helps SSAs identify areas for improvement and ensure resources are directed where they are most needed.

• The Organisational Health Framework for Social Services was also introduced, offering SSAs a clear path to assess operations, enhance capabilities, and build capacity.

• Together, these frameworks are driving improvements and raising service standards across the social service sector.

2021

Strengthening of sector capabilities

NCSS worked closely with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) to launch the Industry Digital Plan for Social Services (IDPSS) to provide systematic guidance for SSAs to assess and accelerate their digitisation efforts based on their needs and digital readiness. We also developed the:

Learning and development roadmap for volunteer management practitioners

• Providing guidance on the skills and competencies required for volunteer management practitioners.

People Practice Consultancy (PPC)

• Launched in 2021 to strengthen and enhance the HR capabilities of SSAs, supporting the workforce to deliver effective services.

2020

Building resilience

The challenging year of 2020 saw the establishment of the Beyond COVID-19 Taskforce. This task force united the sector and its stakeholders and developed a set of recommendations to strengthen SSAs' resilience and help them emerge stronger from the pandemic which includes:

The Invictus Fund

• The fund was introduced to aid SSAs during COVID-19 by facilitating investments in technology to ensure the delivery of critical social services to the communities in need.

Tech-and-GO!

• Through this key initiative, NCSS provided advisory, consultancy services and funding for SSAs interested in implementing IT solutions, as well as resources and platforms for users to learn more about how they can leverage digital solutions to widen their impact.

2019

Pioneering youth leadership

40-Under-40

• A youth leadership platform empowering the next generation to lead and transform the social service sector.

Sector Design Challenge

• A platform uniting participants from the People, Private, and Public (3-P) sectors to develop human-centred design skills and craft innovative solutions for social service needs.

Tech Booster and Project Back-to-Basics

• Introduced with nearly $20 million in funding from the National Productivity Fund, these initiatives provide ready technologies and subsidized innovative solutions to tackle manpower challenges in the sector.

2018

Shattering stigma

In our continued efforts to strengthen the social service sector, we launched several initiatives aimed at attracting talent, promoting mental health awareness, and enhancing volunteer management. These include:

Social Service Tribe

• A movement and platform to attract new talent to the social service sector.

Beyond the Label

• A five-year public education campaign focused on reducing stigma toward individuals with mental health conditions.

Enhanced Volunteer Manager Funding Scheme

• A two-year initiative funding 50 dedicated Volunteer Managers to help SSAs enhance their volunteer management capabilities.

2016

Encouraging inclusion

We launched impactful initiatives focused on disability inclusion and sustained giving. These include:

"See the True Me" campaign

• A public education initiative promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society.

SHARE as One

• A Community Chest programme that offers dollar-for-dollar matching for additional donations from companies, employees, and individuals to the monthly SHARE programme, encouraging sustained ground-up efforts in giving and volunteering.

2015

Expanding horizons

We launched impactful initiatives focused on disability inclusion and sustained giving.

Inclusive playground at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

• A collaboration with NParks to develop a space that fosters inclusive play for children of all abilities.

Quality of Life (QOL) study

• The first study focusing on persons with disabilities, seniors, and individuals with mental health conditions. The insights from the study were published to guide the development of future programs, initiatives, and research to improve quality of life.

2014

Nurturing leadership

NCSS launched the Sun Ray Scheme to attract and develop future leaders in the social service sector.

• The scheme offers participants exposure to various SSAs, helping them understand the sector’s needs and enabling them to strengthen SSA capabilities through leadership development.

2013

A movement of care and sharing

Key highlights in 2013 include:

Care & Share Movement

• A national initiative led by Community Chest to raise funds and volunteer support for the social service sector, raising a record $1.3 billion.

SSI appointed as CET Centre

• The Social Service Institute (SSI) became a Continuing Education and Training (CET) Centre by the Work & Development Authority (WDA).

"We Are Able!" campaign

• A nationwide campaign to promote inclusivity for persons with disabilities and rally community support for their empowerment.

2011

Shaping service

We introduced two key initiatives to strengthen the social service sector.

Family Service Centre Advisory Council

• Provides strategic guidance to enhance the accessibility and relevance of Family Service Centres' services.

Social Service Talent Development Scheme

• Nurtures a pipeline of qualified professionals to provide leadership and expertise within the sector.

2010

A vision for the future

We launched two important initiatives to support groups in need and enhance educational opportunities:

• Project HOME: A pilot project targeting needy families in Interim Rental Housing, in collaboration with multiple agencies, to provide support and resources.

• Vocational Mainstream Education Framework: Developed with the Ministry of Education to help students with special needs gain skills and competencies for smoother employment transitions.

2009

Creating platforms for collaboration

Key initiatives during this period included:

Special Needs Trust Company

• NCSS led the establishment of a non-profit trust to manage the financial needs of individuals with disabilities, in collaboration with the then-MCYS.

Accreditation for social workers

• In partnership with the then-MCYS and the Singapore Association of Social Workers, NCSS introduced accreditation to uphold professional standards in the social work field.

Social Service Hub @ Tiong Bahru

• NCSS launched its first shared office space for social service agencies (SSAs), fostering collaboration and efficiency.

2008

Golden Jubilee celebration

In 2008, NCSS celebrated significant milestones in the social service sector. These efforts underscored the importance of growing the sector and its professionals.

• Led a sector-wide celebration of 50 years of social service, marking Community Chest's 25th Anniversary with the inaugural Heartstrings Walk.

• Opened ComChest Green in Labrador Park to commemorate the milestone.

• Introduced the Sabbatical Leave and Professional & Leadership Development Schemes to support sector growth and elevate social work standards.

2003

A commitment to learning

• Launched the Social Service Training Institute (SSTI) to address the sector's training needs.

• In 2013, SSTI evolved into the Social Service Institute (SSI), expanding its role to become a one-stop centre for human capital development in the sector.

2001

Celebrating excellence

• Launched the President's Social Service Award, presented by the President of Singapore, to honour outstanding volunteers.

• Implemented the Programme Evaluation System (PES) to monitor and assess the outcomes of social service programmes, which later evolved into the Enhanced Programme Evaluation System (EPES) for SSAs to track outputs, outcomes, and client milestones.

1998

Strengthening bonds

• We launched the Community Chest Corporate Community Involvement Programme to cultivate enduring partnerships with corporate supporters.

• Concurrently, we introduced 'Social Services in the 21st Century – The NCSS Vision' publication to plan, develop and reposition the future of social services.

1998

A pioneering move

• Singapore Pools' sponsorship covered the entire operating expenditure of Community Chest, ensuring that 100% of the funds raised from the public directly benefited charities.

1996

Building bridges

• Launched four new networks—Children's Home, Youth Services, Community Care (East), and Mental Health Community Care—promoting inter-agency collaboration, improved service integration, and identifying service gaps.

• Initiated the first phase of a $4 million computerisation project for 89 Voluntary Welfare Organisations, deploying 267 computers with standard office automation packages and customised welfare system applications over three years.

1995

Shaping minds

• We organised our inaugural Mental Health Campaign, ‘Be Happy, Be You” tailored for the youth.

1994

Leading the way

• NCSS was entrusted by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) to become the national coordinator of Family Service Centres (FSCs).

1992

Transformational change

• In 1992, the Singapore Council of Social Service (SCSS) rebranded as the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) with a fresh logo and identity.