Funding and Remuneration in Social Services: Lessons from Singapore

Abstract

During a time of budget cuts around the world, Singapore has instead taken steps to raise the status of social workers. This article analyzes the experiences of social service agencies in implementing salary revisions and the challenges faced in light of the funding structure of social services. Based on focus group discussions and interviews with 17 field experts, and anchored in economic theory, the findings suggest a well-resourced and well-organized sector that has kept social work salaries on par with other professions. Challenges remain in expanding the manpower pool, distributing resources to different types of social workers, and addressing issues related to program-based funding.

Keywords:

• funding
• remuneration
• Singapore
• social services
• social worker

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge all participants of this study for the time and thought taken to respond, participate, and provide further comments.