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About 200 persons with special needs improved employment prospects through Job Placement and Job Support Services in FY2010.
NCSS Home >> About NCSS >> The NCSS Story
The NCSS Story
Our Humble Beginnings
Before 1958, social services were hampered by the lack of proper co-ordination and support. With the formation of the Singapore Council of Social Service (SCSS) on 22 Dec 1958, a structured umbrella body brought together all organisations and individuals with interest in community service and social welfare.
In 1983, Community Chest, a centralised fund-raiser, was established to relieve Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) of fund-raising activities so that they could concentrate on providing better care and services for the needy. 1984 saw the initiation of the SHARE (Social Help and Assistance Raised by Employees) programme, the Volunteer Action and Development Centre, and the Sharity programme.
In 1992, SCSS was restructured to become the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), setting the momentum for social services to leap into the 21st century.
Our Key Milestones
2009
Launch of the Special Needs Trust Company, a non-profit trust company to take care of financial needs of persons with disabilities in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS).
Jointly implemented the Accreditation for Social Workers and Social Service Practitioners with MCYS and the Singapore Association of Social Workers to ensure professional standards among social work practitioners.
The Social Service Hub @ Tiong Bahru, NCSS’s first shared office space for VWOs, was launched.
2008
NCSS led a sector-wide celebration of 50 years of social service.
The NCSS 50th Anniversary Carnival benefited 15,000 people. Reached out to 320,000 TV viewers through ‘Heart@Work – The NCSS Story’.
'For All We Care – 50 Years of Social Service in Singapore, 1958–2008’, a commemorative book detailing 50 years of growth and development of social service in Singapore was published.
Celebrated Community Chest’s 25th Anniversary through events such as Heartstrings Walk 2008 and the opening of ComChest Green.
Appointed seven agencies as Centres of Specialisation to build a body of knowledge and expertise in a specialised sector, with the aim of transferring knowledge and expertise across that sector.
Introduced the Sabbatical Leave, and Professional and Leadership Development Schemes to enhance the standards and development of social workers.
2007
Implemented several new key service initiatives, which included:
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Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Concession for persons with disabilities; and |
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The setting up of five Multi-Service Clusters in all Community Development Council districts. |
Launched the Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Intervention (Special Needs) in collaboration with Ngee Ann Polytechnic and MCYS.
Implemented outcome-oriented contract framework.
2006
RADM (RET) Kwek Siew Jin succeeded Mr Gerard Ee as the President of NCSS.
Introduction of the new NCSS logo.
Implemented 10 new services, which included:
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Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA) Centre for Caregivers; and |
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Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) Children’s Wing. |
2005
Implemented the Therapy Hub concept.
Launched ‘Youths Embrace Social Services!’, a competition to engage youths’ interest in social services.
Launched the Seniors Helpline to provide counselling, information and referral services for older persons.
2004
Organised the first Disability Awareness Public Education Campaign.
Launch of the Disability Portal.
2003
Launch of the Social Service Training Institute.
Volunteer Action for Social Service was relaunched as NCSS Volunteer Circle.
100% implementation of the Programme Evaluation System by NCSS-funded programmes.
2002
Mr Gerard Ee succeeded Dr Robert C K Loh as the President of NCSS.
2001
Commenced implementation of the Info-Communications Technology Masterplan, leading to enhanced service delivery in the social service sector.
Inaugurated the President's Social Service Award, conferred by the President of Singapore to outstanding volunteers.
NCSS moved from Penang Lane to the heartlands at Ghim Moh.
Ms Jennie Chua succeeded Dr Richard Eu as the Chairman of Community Chest.
Implemented the Programme Evaluation System to put in place a system to monitor and assess social service programme outputs and outcomes.
1999
Launched the Social Service 21 Vision to develop and re-position social services for the 21st century.
Launched the Community Chest’s Corporate Community Involvement Programme to forge longer-term partnerships with corporate supporters.
Set up the Executive Directors' Network to provide heads of agencies a platform to discuss and exchange ideas on management and leadership issues.
1998
Commemorated 40th anniversary of structured social service.
Established the Network of Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists.
1995
Organised the first Mental Health Campaign.
Set up the first Nursing Network for 21 VWOs.
1994
Commemorated the 10th anniversary of Community Chest.
Appointed by the then Ministry of Community Development as the national co-ordinator of Family Service Centres.
Established Very Special Arts to introduce new approaches to rehabilitation and the enrichment of people with disabilities through arts, dance and drama disciplines.
1992
The SCSS was restructured as the NCSS with a new logo and identity.
Dr Robert C K Loh presided as its first President and Dr Richard Eu was appointed Chairman of Community Chest.
