2018

1) Geylang Methodist Secondary School – Consultation for Parents-Mentoring Programme

The Social Factor is providing consultancy work for the implementation of a mentoring programme by parents which would provide social-emotional support to students. The four-month programme would empower parent-mentors to guide students in the setting of clear and realistic goals for their holistic development.

2) Ngee Ann Polytechnic – Workshop on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

This is a Level 2 training programme for Peer Helpers to build on the skills they had previously learnt in the Basic Peer Support Programme. The workshop is intended to help Peer Helpers identify and understand the negative automatic thoughts of their peers, and through a systematic approach, to help their peers address errors in thinking and other cognitive issues.

3) Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home – Setting Up of Sensory-Therapy Room & Staff Workshop on Sensory Issues and Special Needs

The Social Factor was engaged to set up a Sensory-Therapy Room for Chen Su Lan Methodist Children’s Home. The room will be used to help all children to meet their sensory diet. The staff workshop has the following objectives:

• To help participants have a better understanding of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and the etiology of the disorder;
• To present an overview of special needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); and
• To learn about various therapeutic strategies that can be used to help children with SPD, ASD and ADHD.

4) Ngee Ann Polytechnic – Peer Support Training for Students

The Social Factor is conducting another four runs of the Peer Support Programme for  Student Peer Helpers. The programme has the following objectives:

1. To help students gain a better understanding of themselves and how their life experiences have affected the person whom they are.
2. To understand the importance of empathy.
3. To learn active listening and effective friendship skills in order to be a better help to their friends.
4. To learn about common youth issues and signs of distress, and how to recognise when a friend needs help.
5. To learn about the various support strategies & resources and how to help a friend in need.

5) Canberra Secondary School – Workshops on Dyslexia & ADHD: How to Study, Learn More Effectively & Be Better Prepared for Examinations

The Social Factor conducted a specialised workshop for students with dyslexia to help them to be more effective learners. Students were taught how to cope with dyslexia in terms of how to understand their emotions, how to adopt a learning style appropriate to their needs, and how to create an optimal learning and studying environment. They were also provided with techniques to facilitate their learning and to be better prepared for their examinations.   

The Social Factor also conducted a specialised workshop for students with ADHD. The workshop discussed the two system approach to attention, and provided suggestions on how to remove distractions and how to create a conductive environment for learning.

5) Anglican High School – Peer Support Training for Students

The Social Factor is conducting two runs of the Peer Support Programme for Secondary One and Two Peer Support Leaders. The programme has the following objectives:

1. To help students gain a better understanding of themselves and how their life experiences have affected the person whom they are.
2. To understand the importance of empathy.
3. To learn active listening and effective friendship skills in order to be a better help to their friends.
4. To learn about common youth issues and signs of distress, and how to recognise when a friend needs help.
5. To learn about the various support strategies & resources and how to help a friend in need.

6) Training on Autism Spectrum Disorder for Allied Educators and Learning Support Officers (Fuhua Primary School)

The session on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) had the following aims:

1. To help participants have a better understanding of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and the etiology of the disorder;
2. To present an overview of the link between SPD and ASD; and
3. To learn about various classroom strategies that can be used to help students with SPD and ASD.

7) Setting Up of Sensory Room & Teacher Workshop on Sensory Issues and Special Needs (Ang Mo Kio Primary School)

The Social Factor served as consultants for the setting up of a Sensory Room for Ang Mo Kio Primary School. A workshop was also conducted for 100 teachers with the following objectives:

1. To help participants have a better understanding of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and the etiology of the disorder;
2. To present an overview of special needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); and
3. To learn about various classroom strategies that can be used to help students with SPD, ASD and ADHD.

2017

1) Workshop for School Key Personnel on How to Implement a Peer Support Programme in Schools – W6 School Cluster

The Social Factor conducted a workshop for Key Personnel of the W6 Cluster of Schools.

The workshop had the following objectives:

1. For Key Personnel to know the value of Peer Support in the school context
2. To set up a peer support programme in a systematic way with systems and processes to run and sustain it
3. To know how to identify and train students to be peer support leaders
4. To know the type of skills and knowledge needed to be imparted to peer support leaders to be equipped for their roles; and
5. To know how to equip peer support leaders with basic knowledge of students with special needs and students who are at risk.

2) Health Promotion Board – “Colours of the Mind” – An Interactive Mental Wellness Workshop for Parents (2017-2018)

This is the third year that The Social Factor will be conducting this programme for the parents of children aged 3 to 6.

The programme has the following objectives:

1. To equip parents with the knowledge and skills on building the mental wellbeing domains – Positive Functioning, Emotional Intelligence and Social Intelligence that would improve their children’s outcomes in life;
2. To equip parents with knowledge and skills to better communicate with their children; and
3. To empower parents to take control and ownership of their personal wellbeing.

120 sessions will be conducted over the course of two years.

3) Ngee Ann Polytechnic – Peer Support Training for Lecturers & Students

The Social Factor is conducting two runs of the Peer Support Programme for Peer Support Mentors and Student Peer Supporters. The 2-day student programme has the following objectives:

1. To help students gain a better understanding of themselves and how their life experiences have affected the person whom they are.
2. To understand the importance of empathy.
3. To learn active listening and effective friendship skills in order to be a better help to their friends.
4. To learn about common youth issues and signs of distress, and how to recognise when a friend needs help.
5. To learn about the various support strategies & resources and how to help a friend in need.

As for the 2-day lecturer programme, it has the following objectives:

1. To understand the basis for Student Peer Supporter selection & how to mentor SPS.
2. To establish the roles & attributes of Teacher Mentors & SPS.
3. To craft a model for the selection and training of SPS.
4. To understand how to implement a Peer Support Programme.
5. To craft a concrete implementation plan following the training sessions.

4) Dover Court International School – Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder

The Social Factor conducted a two-session workshop for educators and therapists to gain a better understanding of how to help students with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) in the classroom. Through the session, participants gained insights into the ethology of SPD (formerly called Sensory Integration Dysfunction), and learnt about various classroom strategies that can be used to help students with SPD.

5) Institutes of Technical Education – Paracounselling Course for Community Care & Social Services Students (2017)

The Social Factor was re-appointed for a second run of a 20-lesson course for two classes of ITE Year One students. The course will equip students with basic counselling skills in order for them to become effective para-counsellors.

6) At-Sunrice Global Chef Academy – Counselling Services (2017)

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between The Social Factor and At-Sunrice Global Chef Academy, whereby The Social Factor was appointed to handle counselling cases for At-Sunrice for the calendar year 2017.

7) Zhonghua Primary School – Workshop on Dyslexia: How to Study, Learn More Effectively & Be Better Prepared for Examinations

The Social Factor conducted a specialised workshop for students with dyslexia to help them to be more effective learners. Students were taught how to cope with dyslexia in terms of how to understand their emotions, how to adopt a learning style appropriate to their needs, and how to create an optimal learning and studying environment. They were also provided with techniques to facilitate their learning and to be better prepared for their examinations.   

8) Ministry of Education – Student Peer Support Training for Student and Teacher Mentors (Pilot)

The Social Factor was appointed to spearhead the development of training content and delivery of training on Student Peer Support for selected Student Peer Supporters and Teacher Mentors from 2 Secondary Schools. It is intended for the programme to be extended to all Secondary Schools in the future.

Teacher Mentors’ Training

• Know how to select appropriate Student Peer Supporters who are seen by peers as social leaders and have the appropriate disposition for the role
• Co-train specific activities with the Contractor for the Peer Supporters’ training and have an understanding of how to conduct subsequent training with future batches of Peer Supporters
• Guide, coach and support Peer Supporters (including but not restricted to conducting regular support group sessions, briefing and debriefing Peer Supporters to help them improve skills and addressing challenges in their roles)
• Identify and coach Peer Supporters who may struggle in the initial phase and need additional support to play their role
• Identify sustainable ways that Peer Supporters can advocate for peer support in school

Student Peer Supporters’ Training

At the end of the training, selected Student Peer Supporters should be able to:

1. Provide social-emotional support to peers who come to them (e.g., through listening, empathic responding)
2. Use friendship skills to reach out to shy or socially isolated peers
3. Identify peers in distress and refer to a trusted adult where appropriate
4. Be an advocate for peer support in the school as role models in their daily interactions with peers (including but not restricted to influencing peers in their social circles to have a peer support mind-set of looking out for the well-being of others, promoting help-seeking behaviour and having a positive attitude towards life).

9) Ngee Ann Polytechnic – Zest-Up Wellness Programmes for Students
The Social Factor has been appointed as the vendor for a series of 4 talks and 4 support group sessions. The topics cover a range of wellbeing issues:

1. Time Management Talk
2. Talk on Building Relationships with Love Languages
3. Cyber Wellness Talk
4. Social Skills Support Group
5. Overcoming Negative Thoughts Support Group
6. Making Choices for Yourself Support Group
7. Know More About Yourself Support Group

2016

1) Health Promotion Board – Workshop for Caregivers of Children with Special Needs (2016-2018)

The Social Factor was re-appointed to conduct three runs of a workshop for the caregivers of children with special needs. The session is aimed at helping the parents of children with special needs to equip them with knowledge and skills to communicate with their children on issues related to growing up, such as body awareness, personal safety and healthy relationships.

2) Institutes of Technical Education – Paracounselling Course for Community Care & Social Services Students (2016)

The Social Factor has been appointed to conduct a 20-lesson course for two classes of ITE Year One students. The course equips students with basic counselling skills in order for them to become effective para-counsellors. It comprises the following components:

1. 12 instructional sessions which would equip students with the basic counselling theories and skills that would help them to become an effective para-counsellor;
2. 7 hands-on sessions that would help students to practice the micro-skills learnt; and
3. 1 Reflection Assessment to help students consolidate their learning.

3) Ngee Ann Polytechnic – Workshops for Staff Wellbeing Programmes (2016-2018)

The Social Factor has been appointed as the vendor for a series of 10 staff wellbeing workshops. The topics cover a range of mental, emotional and physical wellbeing issues:

1) Scrapbooking – Where Stories Come Alive!

2) Glass Painting

3) Essential Oils 101

4) Managing Stressful Situations

5) How to Care for People with Dementia

6) Keeping Fit for Life

7) DISC & Personality

8) Understanding Gender Differences

9) Mentoring – the OMEGA Model

10) Managing Money the SMART Way

4) Ministry of Education – Consultation and Training for the Teaching of Healthy & Safe Relationships (HSR) in Action in Special Education (SPED) Schools (2016-2019)

The Social Factor is the appointed consultant to assist MOE in the design and implementation of three repeated HSR in Action programmes, including 6 interactive workshops per year and on-site consultation of up to 14 schools. Following the completion of the sessions, it is intended for SPED teachers to use the HSR guide to  identify themes, topics and learning objectives for instructional planning; to design and plan lesson units; to implement the lessons; and to contribute to the development of a local collection of resources and classroom good practices.

5) Metta School – Talk on Relationships & Sexuality (2016)

The Social Factor conduced an interactive talk for students aged 16-20; for them to have better body awareness in the areas of health, relationships and sexuality. Among the areas covered included the importance of healthy relationships, the role of sex in a relationship and the ABCDs of sex.

6) Dunearn Secondary School – Workshops on Special Needs for Secondary School Students (2016)

The Social Factor conducted a series of three workshops to help students with special needs in the areas of body awareness and social-emotional awareness. The sessions were intended to help students to become more aware of their motivations, esteem needs, surrounding environment, and in the process develop executive functioning skills and stronger studying and working habits. One workshop was for students with ADHD while the other two workshops were for students with dyslexia.

7) Ngee Ann Polytechnic – Report Writing Workshops (2016)

The Social Factor was re-appointed to run a series of 9 report writing workshops organised by Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Electrical Engineering Division during the month of April 2015. The programme incorporates elements of basic writing, and was intended to help poly students improve their written communication skills and to better their chances of entering a competitive workforce.

2014-2015

1) Health Promotion Board – Workshops on Peer Support for Secondary School Students (2015-2016)

The Social Factor was the appointed vendor for 30 sessions of workshops to help students provide support to their peers during times of difficulties and before the students seek professional help.

2) Health Promotion Board – Workshops on Social-Emotional Development in Children for Parents and Caregivers (2015-2017)

The Social Factor was the appointed vendor for two runs of 30 workshops to help children develop stronger social-emotional skills.  The programme, which is in its 6th year, equips parents of children 2-6 years old with the relevant knowledge and skills to help their children to have positive mental wellbeing.

3) Health Promotion Board – Next Steps Programme: Change and Transition Programmes for Tertiary Institutions (2015-2017)

The Social Factor was re-appointed as vendor for 27 sessions of HPB’s Next Steps Programme (2015-2017). Through interactive activities, the programme equips students to deal with transitions and cope with the changes associated with higher education, national service or the workplace. Practical skills and tools are imparted to help students in their next phase of life.

4) Ngee Ann Polytechnic – Support Group on Making Choices (2015)

In 2015, The Social Factor conducted two runs of a 4-session support group intended to help students in Making Choices. Organised by Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Student Services Department, the programme is aimed at helping students explore the concerns and factors in making choices; helping them to make decisions that will impact them in a positive manner.

5) Ngee Ann Polytechnic – Business Writing & Effective Presentation Workshops (2015)

The Social Factor conducted a series of business writing and presentation workshops, organised by Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Engineering. The programme had the objective of imparting the knowledge of business writing and presentation in a fun and engaging manner, incorporating techniques of business writing and communication, effective public speaking and the use of media to enhance business presentations.

6) Health Promotion Board – Workshop on Understanding Special Needs for Parents (2015)

The Social Factor conducted a workshop in May 2015. The session was aimed at helping the parents of children with special needs to equip them with knowledge and skills to communicate with their children on issues related to growing up, such as body awareness, personal safety and healthy relationships.

7) Ngee Ann Polytechnic – Report Writing Workshops (2015)

The Social Factor ran a series of 8 report writing workshops organised by Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Electrical Engineering Division during the month of April 2015. The programme incorporates elements of basic writing, and was intended to help poly students improve their written communication skills and to better their chances of entering a competitive workforce.

8) Pro-Teach Student Care Group – Workshop on Understanding Children with Special Needs (2015)

The Social Factor conducted 3 full-day workshops during March 2015 to help teachers derive a clear understanding of what special needs are; to identify the general characteristics of the main special needs categories, e.g. ASD and ADHD/ADD; and to obtain new skills and methods to help manage students with special needs in the classroom. The workshop also explored some of the key issues in the area of special needs, e.g. anger management and bullying, as well as helping teachers manage and deal with family members of children with special needs.

9) Ngee Ann Polytechnic – The 21st Century Student Goes to the Office: Resume Writing & Interview Skills (2014)

The Social Factor ran a series of 25 workshops for Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology.(LSCT). Sessions of two hours each were run over two weeks, and students were presented with tips on how to write a resume and a cover letter. They also gained hands-on experience on how to prepare for an interview, and the workshop ended with a mock interview session for the students.

10)    Health Promotion Board – Next Steps Programme: Change and Transition Programmes for Tertiary Institutions (2014-2015)

The Social Factor was the appointed vendor for HPB’s Next Steps Programme for 2014-2015. Through interactive activities, the programme equips students to deal with transitions and cope with the changes associated with higher education, national service or the workplace. Practical skills and tools are imparted to help students in their next phase of life.