SOCIAL

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SOCIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES in Singapore
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Why do we have Community Social Services?

• The goal of community and social services in
  Singapore is to promote the well-being of people
  and communities. It seeks to help individuals to
  be self-sufficient and less dependent, and
  restore individuals, families or communities to
  successfully function in the society.

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Many Helping Hands Approach

• Singapore adopts a partnership model in the
  delivery of community and social services.
  Government provides some of the resources and the
  infrastructure while the other players play an
  important role in providing the services. This
  partnership has enabled us to reach more
  individuals and families

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Social Community Sector in Singapore- A
Partnership Model

• Five main players, namely
• Ministry of Community Development, Youth Sports
  (MCYS)
• Community Development Councils(CDCs) Self-Help
  Groups
• National Council of Social Service (NCSS)
• Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs)
• Volunteers

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National Council of Social Service (NCSS)

• NCSS is a structured umbrella body that
  brings together all organisations and individuals
  with interest in community service and social
  welfare.
• NCSS sets the momentum for social services to
  leap into the 21st century

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National Council of Social Service (NCSS)

• The Community Chest, a centralised fund-raiser,
  was established under the perview of NCSS to
  relieve voluntary organisations of fund-raising
  activities so that they could concentrate on
  providing better care and services for the needy.
  

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WHAT IS A VWO?

• VWO is the acronym for voluntary welfare
• organisation and refers to an organisation
• that
• is a voluntary set-up and governed by an elected
  volunteer board
• is non-profit making
• promotes and provides social and community
  services in financial, emotional, educational,
  health and social aid and support

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WHAT IS A VWO?

• caters for those in need, distress or at-risk and
  helps the disadvantaged and disabled to be
  independent
• is driven by a strong spirit of volunteerism and
  
• works with volunteers, government authorities,
  public and private organisations and the
  community.

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Expenditure on Community Social Services

• MCYS NCSS spends about 288 Million for the
  Social Services
• This amounts to 0.2 of GDP

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Nature of Industry Employment

• 665 Establishments
• 14,000 workers
• 1 of total employment in economy
• 32 skilled, 46 semi-skilled, 22 unskilled

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Community Social Services in Singapore

• Children, Youth Family Services
• -Family Service Centres, Childrens Homes,
  Student Care Centres
• Community Health Services- Mental Health
  Services, Crisis Services, Hospice Services,

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Community Social Services in Singapore

• Disability Services- Special schools, Vocational
  Training, Sheltered Workshps, Day Activity
  Centres, Independent Living Training Centres
• Elderly Services
• - Homes for the Aged, Day Care Centre for Senior
  Citizens, Day Rehabilitation Centres, Home Help
  Services

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The Role of the People in the Community and
Social Services Sector

• Help the homeless
• Provide Counselling for the troubled
• Provide therapy services for the sick and
  disabled
• Care for children, the elderly, physically and
  mentally disabled and the emotionally disturbed
  individuals
• Help the needy obtain financial assistance

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The People in the Social and Community Services

• Professionals
• with a Passion
• for People
• Careers in social and community
• services usually appeal to persons
• with a strong desire to help others.

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Career Opportunities in the Community and Social
Service Sector for Graduates

• Social Worker
• Counsellor
• Psychologist
• Physiotherapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Therapist
• Special Education Teacher

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Career Opportunities in the Community and Social
Service Sector for Non Graduates

• Welfare Officer
• House Parents
• Social Work Assistants
• Healthcare Attendants
• Nursing Aides
• Therapy Aides
• Special Education Teachers Assistant

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Scholarship Opportunities

• MCYS Scholarship
• Lien Foundation- NCSS Scholarships
• VWO Capability Fund Scholarship

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MCYS scholarship

• Part of Public Service Commission Scholarship
  (PSC)
• Both local and overseas scholarship available
• 3 scholarships a year
• Subjects Social Work, Psychology, Sociology.
  Other disciplines will also be considered.

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Careers in MCYS

• Nature of Work
• Policy Work - review of social policies
• (Social Assistance Policy, Disability Policy etc)
  
• Direct Social Work - social work jobs
• Others - Research, Public Education, Community
  Partnership

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Lien Foundation Scholarships

• Lien Foundation Scholarships are for the study
  of Management of Non-Profit Organisations and
  Leadership.

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VCF Scholarships

• VCF Scholarships are both local and overseas
  scholarships for the study of Speech Therapy, OT,
  PT, Gerentological Counselling, Family and
  Marital Counselling, Community Rehabilitation,
  Special Education and other areas of
  specialisation.

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More Information
More Information

• Todays Social Scene Booklet- Information on
  various professions, training institutions and
  Scholarships
• CD-ROM on Community and Social Services -
  Testimonies of Professionals in the sector and
  links to Professional Association Websites
• Young Jobseekers Guide - Career Choices
• - A career in Community Social Services

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More Information

• Social Service Careers Website -
  http//www.socialservicecareers.com.sg
• NCSS Website - http//www.ncss.gov.sg
• Lien Foundation and VCF Scholarships
• Brightsparks Scholarship Website -
  http//brightsparks.com.sg

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Thank You