Social Work in Singapore
A Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Social Work or a Graduate Diploma in Social Work is minimum pre-requisite to employment as a Social Worker.
Social Work encompasses working with families, individuals, organisations and the community on areas such as:
- Poverty
- Relationship Problems
- Domestic Violence & Abuse
- Substance Addiction & Abuse
- Family Life Education & Parenting
- Interpersonal Communication & Social Skills Training
- Mediation & Negotiation
- Child Welfare
- People with Special Needs
- Youth Work
- Clinical / Mental Health
- Disability Services
- Care of Older Persons
- Social Work Administration & Policy
- Social Work Education & Research
- Consultancy Services
- Community Work
Social Workers therefore must be versatile, knowledgeable and skillful in interpersonal communication skills when working with others and competent in networking skills so as to be able to enhance the lives and well-being of the people and the community they live in.
They are found in direct practice, in administrative, management and policy planning positions in many organisations as well as in government Ministries.
You may refer to the National Social Work Competency Framework by the Ministry of Social and Family Development here to learn more about the profession’s job roles, career progression, and key responsibility
areas.
Post-graduate educational opportunities such as Masters, PhD, Post-graduate Diplomas and Specialist training are available locally and overseas.
They can choose to specialise in different areas of work such as:
- Child Protection Services
- Counselling & Therapy
- Family Social Work
- School Social Work
- Youth Work
- Gerontological Social Work
- Medical Social Work
- Working with People with Disabilities
- Community Work
- Rehabilitation of Offenders
- Management of Social Services
- Policy & Planning Services
- Social Research & Programme Evaluation Service
The NCSS FY2020 Salary Guidelines for the Social Service Sector provides information on the different job roles of a Social Worker from a Social Worker (Entry) to a Senior Master Social Worker. Refer to NCSS website for more information: