2026 Outlook

What's next for the social sector and the top stories of 2025

- Syarafana Shafeeq and Theresa Tan Senior Social Affairs Correspondent

From tightening safeguards to better protect children from abuse to a new task force to improve support for people with disabilities, these will be among the key developments in the social service space in 2026.

The case of four-year-old Megan Khung's death came under scrutiny in 2025, with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) announcing measures to improve safeguards in the child protection system.

The Straits Times looks at what to expect in the social sector in 2026, and rounds up the biggest stories in 2025.

CHILD ABUSE CASES

Following an independent panel that was convened to review how Megan's case was handled, MSF said that recommendations to prevent similar incidents will be implemented progressively by end-2026.

A new social services coordination centre will be set up to better identify and coordinate child abuse cases from different agencies, like social services, the preschool community and other sectors. MSF said it will also provide tighter links to police operations.

All deaths of abused children known to social services will also be independently reviewed, and MSF will consult the social service sector on how best to do this, Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration Desmond Lee had said in November.

Before this, the ministry carried out bilateral reviews of incidents with the relevant social service agency.

By the first quarter of 2026, MSF will set up a triage assessment panel to evaluate which agency is best placed to manage a case.

Triaging refers to the process of assessing and determining the urgency of a case and the appropriate response to safeguarding a child's safety.

From early 2026, preschools will report potential child abuse cases directly to the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline, instead of through the Early Childhood Development Agency.