Data on Social Workers Employed by Public Agencies and Update on Hiring and Retention Rates

Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how many social workers are currently employed by public agencies; (b) what is the gap between the desired number and actual employed number of social workers; and (c) whether an update can be provided on recent challenges and trends in hiring and retention rates for this group of employees.

As of 2023, there were about 2,600 registered social workers in Singapore, the majority of whom work in the social service and healthcare sectors. We expect the demand for social workers to grow with demographic and socio-economic changes and the increasing complexity of needs. As mentioned in the Ministry of Social and Family Development's (MSF's) Committee of Supply 2024 debate, we project to need about 2,000 more professionals in the social service sector in the next five years, including social workers.

While Pre-Employment Training programmes continue to be an important pipeline, we are expanding the pathways for mid-career conversions to social work. Social service agencies can tap on the Career Conversion Programmes, which provide up to 90% salary and course fee support for mid-career professionals to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to join the sector. MSF and the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) will continue to improve the attraction, development and retention of social service professionals.

While financial reward is not the key motivation for social service professionals, MSF and NCSS have developed salary guidelines for the sector and strongly encourage Social Service Agencies to adhere to the guidelines and reward their staff fairly. This is so that the sector keeps pace with the broader labour market.

NCSS has also continued to promote the branding of the social service sector, through the Social Service Tribe. We will continue to work closely with the sector to recognise and celebrate the contributions of the social service professionals and ensure that they are adequately supported in their professional journey.