Gov't needs to deliver social services in a more holistic manner: Wong

Wong said doing so will help address early signs of social stratification.

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said social stratification is becoming more entrenched in Singapore and the way to counter this is by refreshing and updating the government's approach to providing social support.

In his speech at "Forward Singapore," Wong said the way for the government to help lower-income families sustain progress is to deliver social services more holistically.

"We need to provide more integrated, wraparound support, tailored to the family’s unique circumstances and needs," Wong said.

Wong underscored that doing so is easier said and done, but the government has made strides with initiatives such as KidSTART and ComLink.

here is still scope to better integrate our various services and interventions across the whole of government, said Wong.

We now have many different programmes – KidSTART, ComLink, UPLIFT in schools, and rental support in HDB, just to name a few. We must bring together these social services in a more coordinated suite of interventions tailored to the family’s needs, with befrienders serving as consistent touchpoints across programmes," he added.

The DPM said the government plans to scale up the coverage of these programs.

Wong said they are also open to new ideas to encourage lower-income families towards better life outcomes, empowering them to achieve success on their terms.