Elysa Chen on National Council of Social Service (Amendment) Bill

Singapore’s social service sector has made significant strides not just in breadth of service provision, but intentionality of planning for future needs. Meanwhile, the National Council of Social Service has progressively widened its remit to strengthen the social service ecosystem. MP Elysa Chen made these points in parliament on Tuesday (Jan 13). With proposed changes to the council’s governance structure, she wanted to know how frontline perspectives, especially of smaller agencies serving emerging communities, will remain meaningfully represented. She also asked about the criteria for sector-nominated council members and how the council will retain sufficient independence and capacity to be a “trusted voice” for the sector.