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SINGAPORE \u2013 From tightening safeguards to better protect children from abuse to a <\/p>\n new task force to improve support for people with disabilities<\/p>\n <\/a>, these will be among the key developments in the social service space in 2026. <\/p>\n The case of <\/p>\n four-year-old Megan Khung\u2019s death<\/p>\n <\/a> came under scrutiny in 2025, with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) announcing measures to improve safeguards in the child protection system. <\/p>\n The Straits Times looks at what to expect in the social sector in 2026, and rounds up the biggest stories in 2025.<\/p>\n Following an independent panel that was convened to review how Megan\u2019s case was handled, MSF said that recommendations to prevent similar incidents <\/p>\n will be implemented progressively by end-2026<\/p>\n <\/a>.<\/p>\n 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 pre-school community and other sectors. MSF said it will also provide tighter links to police operations.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n Before this, the ministry carried out bilateral reviews of incidents with the relevant social service agency.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n Triaging refers to the process of assessing and determining the urgency of a case and the appropriate response to safeguarding a child\u2019s safety. <\/p>\n From early 2026, pre-schools will report potential child abuse cases directly to the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline, instead of through the Early Childhood Development Agency. <\/p>\n