The National Council of Social Service (NCSS) (Amendment) Bill 2025, introduced by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), was passed in Parliament on 13 January 2026. The Bill reflects and empowers NCSS’ expanded role as sector developer, focused on driving better outcomes for those in need in Singapore.
Responding to evolving social needs
2 Social issues have become increasingly complex over the years, requiring greater collaboration across multiple service providers and other stakeholders. The social service landscape has also evolved, with the growth of new players. While Social Service Agencies (SSAs) remain our sector’s backbone, we now have more stakeholders such as social enterprises, corporates, and philanthropic organisations. In response to these changes, NCSS' scope has expanded beyond a membership body to a sector developer, working with various partners across the larger social service ecosystem, beyond member organisations, to better serve our community’s needs.
Sector Engagement
3 Feedback from current NCSS members and the public has been instrumental in shaping the proposals in the Bill. Engagements on the proposed amendments first commenced at the NCSS Annual General Meeting in July 2024. In total, almost 300 NCSS members have been engaged on the proposals. A public consultation was also conducted on REACH.
Empowering sector wide development
4 The key amendments to the Act:
a. Reflect and empower NCSS’ expanded role as sector developer, focused on:
- Strengthening social service delivery;
- Building social service sector capabilities; and
- Developing a robust social service ecosystem which includes community support, philanthropy and volunteerism.
b. Introduce a streamlined “sector membership” framework for organisations in the sector:
- Instead of NCSS’ current three tiers of membership for organisations in the sector, there will be a single sector membership tier; no membership fees will be charged; and
- Providing that organisations which have the primary function of providing, or directly supporting the provision of, a social service in Singapore may apply for sector membership.
c. Strengthen the Council to ensure it is fit-for-purpose and that the sector is well-represented by:
- Providing for a fully Minister-appointed Council of 15-27 individuals for flexibility to determine optimal size and mix to meet sector’s needs;
- Legislating that at least half of the Council (excluding Chairperson) must be appointed from individuals nominated by sector members;
- Allowing employees of sector members to sit on the Council;
- Setting the Council term at three years so Council members have a longer runway to contribute meaningfully to NCSS’ work.
d. Update and align the Act with those of other statutory boards, such as:
- Modernising the language and structure of the Act; and
- Strengthening clauses relating to the governance of the Council, the Community Chest and NCSS’ committees to maintain high standards of conduct and governance.
5 As part of its expanded role as sector developer, NCSS will do more to support SSAs to strengthen social service delivery by equipping them with data, forge collaboration with partners in the ecosystem and support SSAs in impact measurement through the Sector Evaluation Framework. We will also ramp up efforts to develop the sector's organisational and professional capabilities, for example by supporting SSAs to harness volunteers and technology to improve services, and enhancing development opportunities for social service professionals. NCSS is also facilitating greater collaboration with SSAs and other stakeholders, for example, by piloting a service delivery model between SSAs and recruitment agencies, to support persons with mental health needs in achieving better employment outcomes.
6 "NCSS has always been guided by the needs of service users. As Singapore’s social challenges evolve, NCSS’ role too has evolved – from being a membership body to that of a sector developer. The Act amendments therefore reflect MSF’s and NCSS’ commitment to build a future-ready and sustainable social service ecosystem with enhanced capabilities to deliver impactful outcomes for individuals and families in need in Singapore and to improve their quality of life,” said Ms. Anita Fam, President, NCSS.
7 The amended Act is targeted to take effect on 1 August 2026.