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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 13 January 1988
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER: Sir, in my view, a balanced approach is needed. I think one obviously has to deal with problem childr One obviously also wants to emphasise the importance of preventing children becoming problem children. This criticism has been made of the guidance notes. I personally do not agree with it. The notes seem to me to be excellent and they seem to me to emphasise both the positive aspect of forming close links between teachers and pupils and many other positive bits of advice, together with advice as to how to deal with problem children.
MRS. TAM: Sir, will the Secretary of Education and Manpower inform this Council whether the review mentioned in his answer will also look into the co-operation between guidance teachers and school social workers at schools?
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER: I mentioned two reviews. One review was of the current guidance notes. That is a limited review of how the guidance notes work. But the general review of the system in '89 will cover all aspects of both systems.
Home care for the elderly
4. MR. LIU asked (in Cantonese): In view of the increasing number of old people in Hong Kong and the ensuing increase in old people who need home care, will Government inform this Council whether it will look into the pressure and needs of the caretakers who provide home care to the elderly and then help them solve their problems?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, social workers are very conscious of the fact that elderly people who are being looked after at home can create certain pressures and difficulties, such as physical or emotional strain, for those members of the household who provide this care. In assessing the needs of an elderly person who lives with the family, a social worker has to study all the family circumstances, including its resources and what problems will be met by the people in the household who provide the care. The social worker will then try as far as possible to ameliorate or resolve these problems. The help given may take the form of moral support, the provision of community support services such as home help, or services provided by day care centres, multi- service centres or social centres for the elderly. Where necessary, cash assistance can also be provided, through public assistance or the special needs allowance scheme. In the last resort, where the problems faced by the household prove to be insurmountable, the elderly person would be considered for placement in a residential home.
If those who provide home care fall ill, arrangements can be made for the elderly persons to be accommodated on a temporary basis in a home for the aged or in a care-and-attention home. Consideration is also being given to
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