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| 1. Who can qualify for PLDS? | ||||||
| To qualify for this scheme, the applicant must be a social worker who has served at least 3 years in the Social Service Sector, proven his/her professional competence, possess leadership potential and have a recognised social work qualification acceptable by the Singapore Association of Social Workers. | ||||||
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| 2. Is it compulsory for the applicant to attend both Professional & Leadership training components? | ||||||
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 (i.e. more than 7 years social work experience), on the employer’s recommendation, the senior social worker can apply to attend just the intermediate Leadership Training (L2) if the applicant already has the requisite professional training. The Selection Panel will make the final decision. |
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| 3. Does the employer need to pay for the Professional Training and Leadership Training fees? | ||||||
No, NCSS will arrange payment on the course fees directly with the Training Institutions. |
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| 4. What are the obligations that the successful applicant needs to fulfil? | ||||||
The applicant will need to serve up to 2-year bond with their organisation, compromising of 1 year for Leadership Training and 1 year for Professional Training. The recipient 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.
Recipient may need to assume duty as mentor to junior social workers in the social service sector, should the need arise, as stipulated by NCSS. |
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| 5. What is the penalty for not completing the bond? | ||||||
The applicant will need to pay liquidated damages to NCSS. The computation will include a 10% compound interest on the unserved duration. |
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| 6. Is the application open yearly? | ||||||
Yes, the scheme is open for application yearly. |
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| 7. Can the unsuccessful applicant appeal? | ||||||
No, the decision of the Selection Committee is final. |
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| 8. Can the applicant apply for both the Professional and Leadership Development Scheme and the Sabbatical Leave Scheme? | ||||||
Applicant can only apply for one scheme at a time. |
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| 9. How will I know if my application is successful? When will I receive a reply? | ||||||
All applicants and their employers will be informed of the outcome of the applications approximately 2 months after the close of application. |
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| 1. Who can qualify for Sabbatical Leave 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. |
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| 2. Can one apply for the Paid Leave without seeking the Professional Advancement Sponsorship? | ||||||
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. |
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| 3. Can one just seek the Professional Advancement Sponsorship without applying for the Paid Leave? | ||||||
No, Paid Leave is an essential component of the Sabbatical Leave Scheme. |
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| 4. What type of professional advancement activities does the sponsorship allow? | ||||||||||||||||
The type of professional advancement activities include:
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| 5. What is being covered under the professional advancement sponsorship? | ||||||||||||||||
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. |
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| 6. How would the salary support and professional advancement sponsorship be provided? | ||||||||||||||||
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 amount to be reimbursed for the professional advancement sponsorship will be based on the approved amount by the Panel. |
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| 7. What does the successful applicant need to fulfil on being awarded the scheme? | ||||||||||||||||
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. |
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| 8. What is the penalty for not completing the bond? | ||||||||||||||||
The applicant will need to pay liquidated damages to NCSS. The computation will include a 10% compounded interest on the unserved duration. |
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| 9. Can the unsuccessful applicant appeal? | ||||||||||||||||
| The decision of the Selection Panel will be final | ||||||||||||||||
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| 10. Can social worker apply for Sabbatical Leave more than once? | ||||||||||||||||
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. |
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| 11. Does one have to be a member of Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW) for eligibility to the scheme? | ||||||||||||||||
| Applicants who are members of SASW will have an added advantage. | ||||||||||||||||
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| 12. Can the applicant apply for both the Professional and Leadership Development Scheme and the Sabbatical Leave Scheme? | ||||||||||||||||
| Applicant can only apply for one scheme at a time. The applicant should also ensure that there is a minimum of a one year gap between the end of bond served for one scheme before applying for the next scheme. |
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