Chinese Women’s Association Social Service Leaders Exchange Programme (17th – 30th June 2018)
SSLEP 2018
15 Participants
11 Countries
Cambodia
China
India
Indonesia
Kyrgyzstan
Malaysia
Myanmar
Nepal
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Family Service Centres
| Ang Mo Kio Family Service Centre (AMKFSC Community Services Ltd) | AWWA Family Service Centre |
| Cheng San Family Service Centre (AMKFSC Community Services Ltd) | MWS Family Service Centre – Yishun |
| Serangoon Moral Family Service Centre |
Trans Family Service Centre – Bedok Reservoir
|
Reflections – FSC Visits
“The experience from the FSCs has given me confidence to develop clear frameworks and digital records.”
“I learnt that we should not give up when helping our clients, as there are many channels that we can use.”
“I have learnt how to integrate music and art as therapeutic activities to help children and other needy families.”
“As social workers, we can also influence various policies so that families can receive the best services.”
“I have many ideas on how to implement ways to structure family interventions in my own context.”
Specialised Agencies
| AWWA Disability Centre | AWWA Transition Centre |
| Big Love Child Protection Specialist Centre | Mindcare (AMKFSC Community Services Ltd) |
| Melrose Home, Children’s Aid Society | National Kidney Foundation |
| Ng Teng Fung General Hospital |
Rainbow Centre |
| Youth Infinity (AMKFSC Community Services Ltd) | |
Reflections — Specialized Agencies
“I learnt a few models such as ASIST that I can learn and bring back home.”
“Learnt about how to set clear expectations with clients and their families, to ensure that family is engaged and motivated to work with us.”
“Setting up a games area and play area to support children in my own workplace. This is something I will be discussing with my colleague."
“The Many Helping Hands approach! Especially when working with cases with risks. Not only does the social worker get involved, but also the police and other organisations.”
“I am inspired by the case management protocols designed in Singapore by various departments and organisations.”
“I am interested to incorporate the use of Apps in my organisation.”
“Clear operation flow of casework which is easy to follow, that will influence me to develop a clear family casework process.”
Reflections from Singapore
“Interaction with SSLEP participants gave an insight on the challenges of what others countries’ social services are facing…especially when major stakeholders such as the government do not provide support. This is where social services need to be creative in solving structural issues on the ground… Our interactions with them also made me reflect on how we can reinvent the approach of how we do social work and community work.” — Oh Shun Jie, AMKFSC Community Services
“It was a very fulfilling experience for my colleagues and I. During the preparation and conversations with the social service leaders, we managed to realign our own understanding of what we do as social workers and as a staff team, we had deeper conversations about our role as a Family Service Centre, vis a vis the larger social service context.” — Jermaine Quek, Trans Family Service Centre
“We learnt about the similarities and differences between our organisations… during a mini session of drumming (as a tool for group work), we saw how much music can be used as a therapeutic medium for positive change.” — Rebecca Ho, Serangoon Moral Family Service Centre
Talks and Sharing By
| Dr S Vasoo Associate Professorial Fellow, National University of Singapore |
Khadijah Madihi – Director, Asia Family First |
| Ms Usha Menon, Executive Chairman, Usha Menon Management Consultancy | Ms Carrie Tan, Executive Director, Daughters of Tomorrow |
| Mr Phua Chun Yat, Senior Assistant Director, AMKFSC Community Services | Mr Chua Wei Bin, Director (Community Care), the National Kidney Foundation |
| Rajesh Varghese, Associate Director, Ashoka (Singapore) | Singapore Association of Social Workers (Ms Long Chey May, Ms Natalie Lim, Mr Billy Loh) |
Programme Objectives
Established by the Ee Peng Liang Memorial Fund under the auspices of the NUS Department of Social Work, the Chinese Women’s Association (CWA) graciously supports the Social Service Leaders Exchange Programme to enhance skills and professional development of promising young social work and service leaders in the region to promote philanthropy and social development. The programme is funded by the generosity of Mr Richard YM Eu in memory of his mother, the late Mrs Diana Eu, and also to commemorate the 90th birthday of Mrs Betty Chen, Immediate Past President & Patron of Chinese Women’s Association.
About 15 social service leaders from Asia and in particular ASEAN, will be selected to come to Singapore to learn and to share their experiences in their own communities with Singapore social work and service practitioners. This programme will also provide opportunities for professionals in Singapore’s social service field to learn about current issues faced by their counterparts in different countries in the region.
Programme Outline
The two-week programme will be held in Singapore, under the auspices of the Department of Social Work, National University of Singapore from the 17th to 30th of June 2018.
Participants would be involved in the following activities:
- Exposure to local social work agencies in Singapore to gain some understanding of social work case management in Singapore.
- Placement in an agency related to applicant’s area of specialization – i) Family Violence (Adult and Interpersonal violence), ii) Children and Youth Work, iii) Health and Mental Health Social Work
- Workshops and Trainings in relevant areas of interest, which may include case management, advocacy, leadership in social services, etc.
- Participants would be expected to conduct a workshop to a local audience as part of a knowledge sharing experience. The workshop is to be related to the area of work that participants are involved or interested in.
At the end of the learning experience, participants would also be required to deliver presentations with their local Singaporean counterparts on practical ideas to move social services forward in their relevant social contexts, both locally and internationally.
For Enquiry
swkbox15@nus.edu.sg
Dr. Ee Peng Liang Memorial Fund
“Regional Social Service Leaders Exchange Programme” Application Form
Application criteria
- Applicants must be practicing social workers (ideally with formal social work education) or currently working in the social sector in their home countries.
- At least 3 years of work experience in the sector.
- Able to converse, read, and write effectively in English.
Application Process
Applicants must submit the following items:
- Completed application form
- A cover letter of application addressed to the Social Service Leaders Exchange Programme Committee. The letter should contain a brief explanation of the applicant’s background, current area of work, and reasons for applying to this programme.
- Updated CV, academic degree certificates, relevant professional training certification.
- Two letters of recommendations from employers or other persons with significant knowledge of the applicant in a professional capacity.
Selection Process
- Closing Date of Application: 18th Feb 2018.
- Selection will give priority to individuals who are in the best position to apply the skills and opportunities from the programme to these relevant fields – i) Family Issues and Violence, ii) Children and Youth, iii) Health and Mental Health