HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 11 May 1988
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commission on youth will have achieved a great number of its objectives if it serves to co-ordinate and to optimise these very diverse activities in the most productive manner for the benefit of our youth, the most valuable asset of our community.
Sir, I support the motion.
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, it is clear from the speeches made in today's debate that Members generally are very concerned that young people in Hong Kong should be given every possible help to develop into mature and responsible members of the community. Whilst part of this responsibility must rest with the family, the Government has always recognised that it should promote an environment conducive to the proper development of young people, and also provide appropriate services for those childern and young people who have particular needs or problems. It may be helpful if I give a brief account of these services.
The Social Welfare Department and the voluntary agencies work closely together to promote respect for, and cohesion within, the family through family life education programmes. They also work together to give young people the opportunity to develop their character, personality, leadership and social skills through participation in a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities. These activities, which are in the main organised by the 281 subvented children and youth centres, are very popular with young people and it is intended that a further 171 centres should be set up during the next five years. There are also a number of uniformed youth organisations, such as the Scouts and the Guides which are specifically intended to encourage young people to develop their independence and sense of civic responsibility. In addition, social workers. working at the district level promote the establishment and strengthening of smaller independent youth groups.
A number of Members have mentioned the need to help young people who have social, emotional or behavioural problems, or who may not be making the most of their educational opportunities. In order to provide guidance and counselling to students who are experiencing problems of this kind, voluntary agencies operate the subvented school social work programme. Under this programme, all secondary schools are served by school social workers at a ratio of one social worker for every 3 000 students. This ratio was improved recently, and a further review is to take place later this year.
To provide help for all young people with behavioural or other problems who cannot be reached by school social workers, often because they have dropped out of school, a number of voluntary agencies provide an outreaching social work service. At present, there are 18 outreaching social work teams which operate in areas which such young people are known to frequent. These teams identify and make direct contact with youths who are in need of guidance and counselling or other social work services. The outreaching social work service