Duration: 3 days
Venue: Singapore University of Social Sciences
Synopsis
This is a 3-day course for Social Service Practitioners (SSP) who have at least 1 to 2 years of work experience in the social service sector. Through lectures, discussions, group activities and learning journey, the course aims to:
- Deepen SSPs’ understanding of the inter-connection of micro-mezzo-macro practice and social-health integration in Singapore;
- Facilitate networking and cross-learning among SSPs to bring about better collaborative relationships in the sector; and
- Provide SSPs with knowledge and skills in personal and professional development.
Who Should Attend
This course is for Social Service Practitioners (SSPs) currently employed in social services (e.g., family services, youth services, elderly care, healthcare, disability services, etc.) who have either:
- A Diploma and at least two years of experience in the social service sector, or
- A Degree and at least one year of experience in the social service sector.
Topics
- Social Service Practitioners’ Role in Singapore’s Social Service Landscape
- Social Service Eco-system: Social Policies in Singapore
- Social Service Eco-system: Social - Health Integration in Singapore
- Risk Perspective in Collaborative Practice
- Ethical and Legal Issues in Practice
- Personal and Professional Development
Objectives
- To deepen SSPs understanding of the inter-connection of micro-mezzo-macro practice and social-health integration in Singapore’s social service sector;
- To facilitate networking and cross-learning among SSPs so as to bring about better collaborative relationships in the social service sector; and
- To provide SSPs knowledge and skills on personal and professional development plan, supervision and self-care.
A. Knowledge and Understanding (Theory Component)
By the end of this course, participants should be able to:
- Discuss the role of Social Service Practitioners in micro, mezzo and macro levels of practice and social-health integration
- Appraise social policies, laws and ethics relevant to social services in Singapore
- Discuss multi-agency and inter-disciplinary practice in service delivery to clients
- Propose strategies to address challenges in collaborative practice
- Prepare a Personal and Professional Development Plan
B. Key Skills (Practical Component)
By the end of this course, participants should be able to:
- Apply the Singapore Association of Social Workers’ Code of Professional Ethics
- Apply laws relevant to practice settings
- Demonstrate the use of risk assessment
- Use supervision to develop competencies for practice
- Practice self-care strategies to promote personal well-being and prevent burn-out at the early stage of SSPs’ career.
Schedule
| Time | Agenda |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | |
| 08:45 - 09:00 | Registration |
09:00 – 09:45 | Course Overview and Introduction (10 mins) |
9:45 – 11:00 | Lecture (1 hr): Social Service Eco-system: Social Policies in Singapore |
11:00 – 11:15 | Break |
11:15 – 13:00 | Lecture Lecture (1 hr): Social Service Eco-system: Social-Health Integration in Singapore Question and Answer Segment (15 mins) Consolidation of Learning Points (30 mins) |
13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch |
14:00 – 15:30 | Lecture (1 hr) and group activities: Ethical and Legal Issues in Practice |
15:30 – 15:45 | Break |
15:45 – 16:45 | Assessment (1 hr) Quiz (Social Policies and Ethics) |
16:45 – 17:30 | Preparation for (1) Learning Journey and deliverables and (2) Day 2 Panel Discussion (45 mins) |
| Day 2 | |
08:45 – 09:00 | Registration and Networking
|
09:00 – 10:30 | Lecture and group discussion (1 hr 30 mins): Risk Perspective in Collaborative Practice |
10:30 – 10:45 | Tea Break |
10:45 – 12:15 | Panel Discussion (1 hr 30 mins): Working with Vulnerable Clients- Interface of Policies, Ethics and Law, and Implications for Practice |
12:15 – 13:15 | Lunch |
13:15 – 17:30 | Learning Journey Groups will make their way to the agency from SUSS. (travelling expense at participants’ own cost) |
| Day 3 | |
08:45 – 09:00 | Checking in and Networking
|
09:00 – 10:30 | Group Presentations on Learning Points from Learning Journeyon the following areas:
|
10:30 – 10:45 | Break |
10:45 – 12:00 | Lecture and class activity: Developing one’s Personal and Professional Development Plan (reference to the National Competency Framework and Skills Framework so that SSPs are aware of career progression and training courses to develop competencies) |
12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch |
13:00 – 15:30 | Lecture and group activities: Supervision - using supervision to become a better Practitioner. |
15:30 – 15:45 | Break |
15:45 – 17:00 | Small group discussions and activities: Self- care for SSPs, J@SS |
17:00 – 17:30 | Evaluation and Consolidation of Learning |
Assessments
- Quiz (MCQ)
Requirements
- Social Service Practitioners (SSPs) who have at least 2 years of work experience in the social service sector (for Diploma holders) or 1 year (for Degree holders).
About the Trainer
Mohd Ali Bin Mahmood
Mohd Ali Bin Mahmood, a veteran social worker wears many hats - a social work consultant, educator, social work supervisor and mentor. He has a wealth of social work practice, programme development, and administrative and leadership experience. He graduated from the National University of Singapore with a degree in social work, and holds a Master in Social Work from the Singapore University of Social Science. He was awarded the Outstanding Social Worker Award (OSWA) conferred by the President of Singapore in 2009.
Ms Ang Bee Lian
Ms Ang Bee Lian is a qualified social worker and also holds a Master in Social Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Ms Ang is a Senior Advisor and is the Commissioner for the Maintenance of Parents, Ministry of Social and Family Development. She was the former Director- General of Social Welfare, Ministry of Social and Family Development (Nov 2013–2023) and former CEO, National Council of Social Service (Jun 2007-Nov 2013). She was awarded the Outstanding Social Worker Award (OSWA) conferred by the President of Singapore in 1999. She is a member of the Singapore University of Social Sciences Board of Trustees. Ms Ang has extensive experience in policy making and programme design in family, children, youth, elder care, disability and juvenile rehabilitation settings. She has played a pivotal role in professional practice and capability development in the social service sector in Singapore. She continues to be actively involved in social work education and leadership training.
Application Procedures
Please submit the following documents to [email protected]:
- Coloured copy (back and front) of NRIC for Singaporeans and PRs, or "Employment"/"S" Pass for foreign applicant
- Application form
Course Fee

1 Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy:
Singaporeans aged 40 and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course
fees.
2 Enhanced Training Support
for SMEs: SME-sponsored employees (Singaporean Citizens and PRs) aged 21
and above may enjoy subsidies up to 90% of the course fees.
- Participants are required to achieve at least 75% attendance and pass any prescribed examinations/assessments or submit any course/project work (if any) under the course requirement.
- Participants are required to complete all surveys and feedbacks related to the course.
- The course fees are reviewed annually and may be revised. The University reserves the right to adjust the course fees without prior notice.
- Singapore University of Social Sciences reserves the right to amend and/or revise the above schedule without prior notice.
For the various payment modes, please refer here.
Course Withdrawal and Refund
Request for withdrawal from a course must be submitted to SUSS Academy formally in writing.
- Course Withdrawal before Application Close Date: No charges.
- Course Withdrawal after course confirmation: 50% of the full course fee with an administration fee imposed.
- Course Withdrawal after the course commences: Full course fee applies.
For clarification, please contact the SUSS Academy via the following:
Telephone: +65 6248 0263
Email: [email protected]