1. Who can qualify for PLDS?
2. Is it compulsory for the applicant to attend both training components?
3. Are the Professional and Leadership Training full-time or part-time training?
4. Where are the training conducted and what is the training schedule?
5. What kind of assessments will the successful applicant need to go through?
6. How would the salary support be paid for the sucessful applicant?
7. Does the employer need to pay for the Professional Training and Leadership Training fees?
8. What are the obligations that the successful applicants needs to fulfil?
9. What is the penalty for not completing the bond?
10. Is the application open yearly?
11. Can the unsuccessful applicant appeal ?
12. Can the applicant apply for both the Professional and Leadership Development Scheme and the Sabbatical Leave Scheme?
13. How will I know if my application is successful? When will I receive a reply?

For social worker newer to the field, it is encouraged that they attend both training starting with the Professional Training component, which focuses on the macro aspects of running a professional service, followed by the Leadership Training. For the more senior and experienced social workers, on the employer’s recommendation, the senior social worker can apply to attend just the Leadership Training if the applicant already has the requisite professional training. The Selection Panel will make the final decision.

The Professional and Leadership Training are full-time equivalent. Employers are free to determine with their social worker on the work arrangement based on their organisation’s HR and Training policies.

The Leadership Training component is conducted at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (Bukit Timah Campus).

It comprises four modules, namely,

• Understanding and Working Effectively in the New Context: Governance and Social Policy Trends in Singapore and East Asia
• Organisational Development: Building Robust Organisational Capacities for Service Delivery
• Dynamic Leadership Training: Becoming a more Introspective, and more Effective Manager and Leader
• Team Presentation and Analysis

The delivery of first three modules will be spread over two weeks (10 full-day training). The last module will take place after a short break. The whole training will last about 3 weeks.

The Professional Training component conducted by lecturers from the Monash University is carried out at the Social Service Training Institute (SSTI).

The Professional Training comprises two modules, namely,

• Social Work Research
• Policy and Programme Planning and Evaluation

There will be 3 full-day workshops and few web-conferencing sessions conducted at the Social Service Training Institute. In between the workshops and web-conferencing sessions, trainees are to prepare for their research project and assignments. The whole training will be spread over a period of about 11 months inclusive of a semestral break.

The type of assessments includes individual assignments, group assignments, research outline, reflection paper, report, presentation and any others that the training institutions deem necessary to meet the training objectives.

NCSS will reimburse the employer the full salary of the trainee up to the cap of $17,000. Upon being selected for the scheme, NCSS will follow-up with the employer to request for salary documentation (i.e. pay slip, etc.) to process the salary support.

No, NCSS will arrange payment on the course fees directly with the Training Institutions.

The applicant will need to serve a 1-year bond with their organisation for each training component completed (i.e. 1 year for the Leadership Training and 1 year for the Professional Training). In addition, the applicant is required to submit a report to the PLDS Secretariat on how he/she had applied the learning from the training at his/her VWO, within 6 months upon completion of the training. In addition, applicant will also need to assume duty as mentor to junior social workers in the social service sector, should the need arise, as stipulated by NCSS.

The applicant will need to pay liquidated damages to NCSS. The computation will include a 10% compound interest on the unserved duration.

Yes, the scheme is open for application yearly.

No, the decision of the Selection Committee is final.

Applicant can only apply for one scheme at a time.

1. Who can qualify for Sabbatical Leave Scheme?
2. Can one apply for the Paid Leave without seeking the Professional Advancement Sponsorship?
3. Can one just seek the Professional Advancement Sponsorship without applying for the Paid Leave?
4. What type of professional advancement activities does the sponsorship allow?
5. What is being covered under the professional advancement sponsorship?
6. How would the salary support and professional advancement sponsorship be provided?
7. What does the successful applicant need to fulfil on being awarded the scheme?
8. What is the penalty for not completing the bond?
9. Can the unsuccessful applicant appeal?
10. Can social worker apply for Sabbatical Leave more than once?
11. Does one have to be a member of Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW) for eligibility to the scheme?

To qualify for this scheme, the applicant must be a Social Worker who has served at least 5 years in the Social Service Sector and possess a recognised social work qualification acceptable by the Singapore Association of Social Workers.

Yes, you can apply just for the 10 weeks of paid leave. The salary support is capped at $15,000 per applicant. Any duration exceeding the 10-week period will be a private arrangement between the applicant and their employer.

No, Paid Leave is an essential component of the Sabbatical Leave Scheme.

The type of professional advancement activities include:

a.Part-time and full-time courses

b.Local and overseas research work

c.Study trip

d.Exchange programme

e.Workshops, seminars or conferences

f. Relevant Master’s programme (for example, Social Work, Counselling, Gerontology, and Business Administration)

g.Any other relevant professional advancement activity that is of a non-religious nature

The sponsorship is for a maximum of $30,000 per successful applicant. The support covers both the cost of professional advancement activity as well as expenditure related to the activity such as airfare, accommodation, meals, transport, insurance, etc. Applicant will be required to provide a cost-breakdown in the application form. Any cost beyond the maximum amount claimable under the scheme will be borne by applicant.

NCSS will reimburse the applicant’s employer for the salary support, up to a cap of $15,000 or the actual salary for the leave period, whichever is lower. For the professional advancement sponsorship, applicant will be reimbursed for the professional advancement sponsorship, subject to a cap of $30,000 or the actual expenditure whichever is lower.

The applicant, upon return from the sabbatical leave, is also required to conduct a sharing session with his/her organisation, prior to submitting a report to both his/her employer and the Sabbatical Leave Scheme Secretariat. In addition, he/she will need to assume duty as mentor to junior social workers in the social service sector, should the need arise, as stipulated by NCSS.   

The applicant will need to pay liquidated damages to NCSS. The computation will include a 10% compounded interest on the unserved duration.

Each social worker is eligible for the Sabbatical Leave once every 5 years. Priority is given to those who have not been awarded the Sabbatical Leave previously.