New NCSS chair outlines vision for a more collaborative, resilient sector

NCSS's Expanded Role and Sector Roadmap [0:00]

• The National Council of Social Service (NCSS) has a newly appointed governing body.
• Its key priority is reviewing the sector roadmap for the next decade.
• NCSS will take on an expanded role as a sector developer to strengthen services and build capabilities.

  "NCSS also takes on an expanded role as sector developer to strengthen services and build capabilities."

Building a Collaborative and Resilient Sector [0:26]

• Chairperson Gregory Vijayendran aims to build a more collaborative model for the social service sector.
• This model will ensure agencies remain sustainable and resilient amid challenges like funding and AI.
• He discusses the need to reduce pain points for families seeking help and to help them get assistance quickly.

  "And so when you kind of have this as part of the whole complex set of issues and challenging set of issues that is facing a family, we need to find a way to reduce the pain points that they may have to get help and to get help fast."

Harnessing AI and Maintaining Human Connection [0:58]

• AI is identified as a significant challenge reshaping the sector.
• The focus is on working intelligently with AI to reduce administrative tasks.
• The goal is to preserve the "compassion factor and the empathy" that social workers bring.

  "How do we harness the best of AI to reduce some of the admin aspects and focus on what we're good at?"

Balancing Support and Self-Reliance [1:19]

• A key challenge is strengthening services without creating over-dependence.
• The aim is to foster self-reliance and resilience in individuals and families.
• This involves careful assessment and journeying with those receiving support.

  "The question is how do we, you know, sort of wean ourselves away from external help, which could be dangerously a crutch, and become more self-reliant, more resilient."

Shifting Focus to Quality of Life and Dignity [1:41]

• Success is defined not just by reducing reliance on social services, but by improving quality of life.
• The measure of success is whether people can live with greater dignity.
• For some vulnerable groups, support may be needed for a longer duration.

  "Instead, he wants the sector to focus on improving quality of life, measuring whether people are able to live with greater dignity."

Long-Term Support for Vulnerable Groups [2:05]

• The protection of children is a primary concern, requiring government intervention.
• The journey involves helping individuals cope with trauma and difficult experiences.
• Some may require long-term engagement with social services, even if reduced.

  "For instance, protection of children. The government will have to move in and will have to try and protect children."

Creative Funding and Collaboration [2:33]

• Charities face a tougher fundraising landscape and need to rethink their operations.
• Creative funding models and partnerships are essential.
• Organizations should play to their strengths and focus on core programs.

  "But I think we need to look at this aspect in a more creative way. And what that will entail is that we need to think about, you know, different ways of funding, different types of funding models."

Vision for a Future-Ready Sector [3:00]

• The vision is for a sector built on collective effort rather than individual organizations.
• More tie-ups and partnerships are expected and measurable.
• There's a push for evidence-based research and translational research, aiming for Singapore to share thought leadership globally.

  "So the hope is that tangibly we will see more tie ups, more partnerships, you know, and that we can measure this aspect."