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Social Insights: Special Editions

Written by Ms Ang Bee Lian (Director of Social Welfare 1 Nov 2013 - 30 Jun 2020; Director-General of Social Welfare 1 Jul 2020 - 31 Jul 2023), these series of letters are for anyone hoping to find out more and answer any questions you might have about Social Work. These are free for reproduction and distribution in its entirety or unaltered excerpts, as long as you do not charge a fee. Acknowledging the source of the letters on any distributed material is also appreciated.

You may download the e-book for Social Insights here: Volume Three, Volume Two and Volume One.

  • SPECIAL EDITIONS

Renewing Our Purpose

No. 2 / 2021

Having a sense of purpose is extremely important when we consider the work we do. It keeps us grounded and motivated ...

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  • PRACTICE ISSUES
  • SPECIAL EDITIONS

A New Better

No. 4 / 2020

The “New Normal” is a term that has been used so often to describe the times we live in now. The pandemic has brought...

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  • PRACTICE ISSUES
  • SPECIAL EDITIONS

Compassion: At the Heart of Management and Leadership

No. 2 / 2020

I hope you have learned about our journey towards recognition as a profession in the first letter. One of the challenges for social work...

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  • PRACTICE ISSUES
  • SPECIAL EDITIONS
  • FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCIAL WORK

Reflections on Social Service Practice

No. 7 / 2018

In recent months, there has been much discussion about the subject of inequality. Academics to political office holders have actively contributed...

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  • PRACTICE ISSUES
  • SPECIAL EDITIONS

Strategic Thinking

Special Edition 1 / 2017

At the Roundtable on The Stewardship Edge organised by Stewardship Asia in August last year, the exchange of views centred on values...

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  • PRACTICE ISSUES
  • SPECIAL EDITIONS
  • CHILDREN AND FAMILY
  • VILNERABLE PERSONS

National Family Violence Networking System Conference Closing Plenary

Special Edition 2 / 2017

We have done much in the last two decades in systematically building a system for responding to family violence in Singapore...

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  • FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCIAL WORK
  • PRACTICE ISSUES
  • SPECIAL EDITIONS

Capacity and Capability Building

Special Edition 1 / 2016

We hear quite a lot about capacity and capability building in the sector but what do people usually mean by this? Most of the time...

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  • FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCIAL WORK
  • SPECIAL EDITIONS

Social Change and Capacity Development

Special Edition 2 / 2016

This letter builds on the ideas brought up in two previous letters titled “designing participation” and “capacity and capability building”...

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  • PRACTICE ISSUES
  • SPECIAL EDITIONS

Managing Change

Special Edition 3 / 2016

Leaders are often asked how they manage change. Most leaders would find this topic an uncomfortable one especially when change entails...

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  • SPECIAL EDITIONS

Letter to Social Service Leaders 2015

No. 18 / 2015

I shared about the expanded horizons for learning in the sector with initiatives such as the sabbatical leave scheme and how this allows...

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  • FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCIAL WORK
  • PRACTICE ISSUES
  • SPECIAL EDITIONS

Collaborative Practice in Social Work

Special Edition / 2015

Recently, I asked Mrs Ann Wee what question she might set for an exam question for Social Work today if we were to have a chance to answer it...

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  • SPECIAL EDITIONS

Reflections on Social Service Leadership 1 (to social service leaders)

Special Edition  / 2014

As we come to the close of the year, we can say that we have strengthened the foundation for the nurturing of leaders for our sector...

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  • SPECIAL EDITIONS

Reflections on Social Service Leadership 2 (to social service leaders)

Special Edition /  2014

As we enter into the New Year and SG50 celebrations, it is good

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