Social Policy and Social Impact Leadership (CET269)

Course ID: TGS-2026062344
Duration: 2 days
Level: Basic

Synopsis

This course is designed for middle-management social sector practitioners, professionals, and leaders in the social sector seeking to deepen their understanding of leadership in driving social change. It offers an exploration of the strategic evolution, development and implementation of social policies in Singapore, providing a critical analysis of the unique governance model that has shaped the nation’s response to complex social challenges.

Participants will engage head-on with policy dilemmas, trade-offs, and unravel seemingly contradictory governance and social policy principles such as self-reliance vs “We First”; meritocracy vs the “many helping hands” approach. These policy principles will be examined through a multidimensional leadership lens, analysing the leaders’ role in shaping policy solutions, community engagement, and fostering sustainable social impact.

There will be opportunities to critically discuss policies in the areas of housing, healthcare, education, employment, and family support, focusing on how these policy domains interact with emerging issues such as inequality, an aging population, social diversity, and national cohesion. The course will also explore the evolving roles of civil society, non-profit organisations, and the private sector, exploring how these sectors can be engaged to address systemic challenges. Case studies and interactive discussions will empower participants to design and implement innovative solutions to the pressing social issues of today. A senior social sector leader will also be invited as guest speaker to engage the participants in open and honest discussions of policy issues.

By the end of the course, participants will possess leadership and strategic insights to navigate the complexities of the social sector, forge effective partnerships, and drive meaningful, long-term change in their communities.

 

 

 

Who Should Attend

This course will benefit any middle manager in the social sector, whether they are holding the positions of Assistant Director, Senior Assistant Director, Head, Team Leader, Assistant General Manager, or equivalent. They could be involved in the areas of social sector policy-making, operations policy, service delivery or ground operations. Private sector, non-profits, and civil society leaders.

 

 

 

Topics

• Evolution of social compact and social policies in Singapore, the shift in core values over time, and how they shaped social policies.
• Social sector landscape in Singapore and the roles and opportunities of its various players.
• Roles of social sector professionals and leaders in addressing social policy challenges.

 

Objectives

• Critically examine the evolution of social compact and social policies in Singapore, the shift in core values over time, and how they shaped social policies.
• Understanding the social sector landscape in Singapore and the roles and opportunities of its various players.
• Analyse the role of social sector professionals and leaders in addressing social policy challenges.

 

 

Learning Outcomes

A. Knowledge and Understanding (Theory Component)

By the end of this course, participants should be able to:

• Demonstrate understanding of the structure and functioning of the social sector in Singapore.
• Assess the role of different actors (including government, civil society, and the private sector) in the policy ecosystem.
• Compare Singapore’s unique approach to social policy with other common models.

 

B. Key Skills (Practical Component)

By the end of this course, participants should be able to:

• Analyse how historical, cultural, and political factors shape Singapore’s social policies.
• Critically examine the effectiveness and limitations of key social policy initiatives.
• Construct strategies for current social challenges and opportunities for policy innovation in Singapore.

Schedule

Time	Agenda
Day 1
09:00 - 09:30	Introductions, learning goals
09:30 - 11:00	Understanding the evolution of social compact and social policies in Singapore, the shift in core values over time, and how they shaped social policies
11:00 - 11:15	Break
11:15 - 13:00	Understanding the social sector landscape in Singapore: Structure, stakeholders, and governance Role of government and Social Sector Professionals (SSPs) in leading and engaging public, private, and people sector (3P) stakeholders
13:00 - 14:00	Lunch
14:00 - 16:15	Analyse the role of social sector professionals in implementing policies and leading change
16:15 - 16:30	Break
16:30 - 17:00	Briefing and Group Discussions for Assessment
Day 2
09:00 - 10:30	Critically examine Supporting Measures in ensuring adequacy: Healthcare Social, Financial Assistance, and Family Services
10:30 - 10:45	Break
10:45 - 12:15	Critically examine Uplifting Measures in addressing inequality: Early childhood education Education Housing
12:15 - 13:00	Group Discussions to prepare for engagement with Guest Speaker
13:00 - 14:00	Lunch
14:00 - 16:15	Engagement with Senior Guest Speaker Assessment: Construct strategies for the role of SSPs at the boundaries and intersections of social policies
16:15 - 16:30	Break
16:30 - 17:00	Feedback survey and personal statement of action

^*SUSS reserves the right to change the course dates, topics and trainers.

 

 

Assessments

Group Presentations. Participants are to form groups of 3-4 persons in each group.

Each group is to select a social policy case study that was discussed during the course and, using the critical analysis and strategic thinking skills taught, propose innovative policy solutions to the issue in the form of:

• Role play of policy considerations, dilemmas and trade-offs;
• Presentation about the possible solutions tapping on the entire social sector eco-system; and/or
• Any form of visual or verbal demonstration of the above.

While the work is completed in groups, assessment and marking will be based on individual presentation. Each participant may take on the role of one or more of the following of their choice:

• One of the characters in a role play
• Presenter of slides
• Narrator
• One of the speakers in a debate format

Each participant will be graded out of 100% based on their response to the topic chosen:

• Understanding of the policy issue (20%)
• Incorporation of the considerations and critical analysis skills taught during the course (20%)
• Demonstration of practical, original, and innovative thinking in proposing policy solutions (60%)

 

Requirements

• At least 2 years of experience working with or in the social sector.
• Holding supervisory or leadership responsibilities as a middle manager, e.g. Assistant Director, Senior Assistant Director, Head, Team Leader, Assistant General Manager, or equivalent.
• Job scope covering the areas of social sector policy-making, operations policy, service delivery or ground operations.
• Private sector, non-profits, or civil society leaders.

 

 

About the Trainer

Ms Joanna Tan

Joanna has held leadership positions across the social sector - covering healthcare, social services, education, and manpower.  She is both a visionary leader and hands-on problem solver, intimately familiar with the social sector in various capacities, including strategic policies planning, operations policies, programs implementation, governance, and services delivery.

She is currently the CEO-designate of a local charity, and was previously CEO of Children’s Wishing Well from 2018 to 2025. Earlier, at the Ministry of Health (MOH) she was involved in managing SARS and H1N1; represented Singapore at WHO, UN, ASEAN; negotiated several FTAs; and planned several public hospitals, health policies, and healthcare programs. She also grew Children's Wishing Well more than 10-fold during her tenure, in terms of service locations, beneficiary outreach, range of programs, impact achieved, and donations raised.

Joanna was awarded many prizes and awards for her achievements and contributions to public service, including the National Day Award Commendation Medal 2018 and MSF Community Cares Award 2024. She is regularly invited by the Ministry of Education (MOE), National Council of Social Services (NCSS), and the local media as an expert on social issues such as philanthropy, community engagement, and social mobility issues in Singapore.

Since her teenage years, Joanna has consistently volunteered actively in various local and overseas charity organisations. From 2013 – 2015, she was the Chairman of O’Joy Care Services, a local social service agency specialising in mental health, and continues to serve on its Board today. Since 2023, she has been serving as the Chairman of NTUC Health Medifund Committee.

She is sharing her decades of knowledge and experiences with fellow social sector professionals and adult learners in her capacity as an associate lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) SR Nathan School of Human Development, School of Social Work and Social Development, and SUSS Academy.

Joanna graduated from Harvard University in 2008 (Master of Public Health) and Kings College London in 2001 (Master in Science), both sponsored under Singapore Government scholarships. She is a respected social sector leader, well-liked colleague, and loving mother to all whom she serves.

 

Application Procedures

Please submit the following documents to [email protected]:

1. Coloured copy (back and front) of NRIC for Singaporeans and PRs, or "Employment"/"S" Pass for foreign applicant
   
2. 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.

 

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For clarification, please contact the SUSS Academy via the following:

Telephone: +65 6248 0263
Email: [email protected]