Singapore is actively working to train social workers in response to the increasing demand for personnel in the social welfare sector. To achieve the Ministry of Social and Family Development's (MSF) 'Enabling Masterplan 2030' goals and meet growing welfare needs, with an additional 2,000 social workers required by 2030, the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) is establishing a new School of Social Work to help bridge this gap.

SUSS, one of Singapore's six autonomous universities since 2017, offers over 100 undergraduate and postgraduate programs across five schools and currently admits approximately 250 students annually into its social work-related programs.

Professor Koh, President of SUSS, stated, "While we are currently achieving good results, we hope that by strengthening our capabilities through the establishment of a new School of Social Work, we can provide even more assistance in this very important field," adding, "It is an opportune time to revamp the curriculum."

According to SUSS, no new courses will be added, but the curriculum will undergo a complete overhaul to be "future-oriented and nurture future social workers." Through this, students will be able to specialize in various fields such as protection, eldercare, disability services, family social work, juvenile justice, and correctional facilities. It will also include postgraduate-level courses for the career development of social workers, as well as courses for those looking to transition to other areas within the social welfare sector or develop new skills such as counseling, psychology, management, and digital technology.

The postgraduate programs will offer two specialized tracks: Policy and Management, and Advanced Clinical Practice, with the aim of nurturing thought and practice leaders in these fields.

Alongside the establishment of the new school, SUSS will develop and promote practice-based research in the social service sector through collaborations with other organizations such as social service agencies, government bodies, and hospitals.

Furthermore, in collaboration with the MSF to strengthen internships in the protection services sector, SUSS will expand the practical training opportunities provided to its undergraduate social work students majoring in protection.

In Parliament, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed his strong support for the new school, stating that it "will allow SUSS to spearhead lifelong learning and offer programs with a strong social emphasis." He also mentioned the continued government support for the new autonomous universities, announcing that "the Singapore University Trust's tenure will be extended by 10 years to March 2042 to support the fundraising efforts of SUSS and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT)."

Implications for the UK Social Work Sector

As Singapore's social work sector emerges as a priority area, UK universities with strong social work programs could explore collaboration opportunities with SUSS or other Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs). Additionally, UK universities need to actively promote their social work courses and highlight their relevance to Singapore's increasing demand for social workers and potential employment prospects under the 'Enabling Masterplan 2030'.

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