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SOCIAL WELFARE
In all branches of social work there were vigorous efforts to meet increasing needs. There is evidence that improved social welfare services, the gradual increase in salaries and wages and the slowly spreading knowledge of family planning contributed towards the small but encouraging reduction in the number of babies abandoned (from 145 in 1960 the number fell to 128 in 1961). In the past, with the help of voluntary agencies, all these children were admitted to residential institutions. This same co- operation now makes it possible for nearly all children recently abandoned or orphaned to be adopted into families in Hong Kong and abroad.
Probation work during the year continued to expand rapidly; foodstuffs, clothing and other material assistance coming in from overseas and distributed by voluntary agencies did much to relieve distress; the education and rehabilitation of handicapped people to enable them to take their place as normal working citizens made significant strides forward; and there was general expansion in the services being provided for young people and in child and family welfare.
Following the adoption of the report of Dr Eileen Young- husband, who visited Hong Kong in 1960, arrangements were put in hand for three consultants on training for social work to be engaged to assist in the implementation of the report. 1961 saw the selection of two of these consultants. Another step towards the provision of more adequate training facilities for social work was the enactment of legislation to establish a Social Work Training Fund. The value of Government bursaries awarded for the social studies courses at the University of Hong Kong was more than doubled. As for overseas training, a senior caseworker in a voluntary agency was awarded the Creech Jones Scholarship, open to candidates throughout the Commonwealth, for the course in social work and administration at the University College of Swansea; while twelve officers from the Social Welfare Depart- ment-more than in any previous year were sent abroad for specialized training and seminars. The Department, in co-operation with voluntary agencies, conducted a record number of seven courses on various aspects of welfare work, in addition to providing expanded facilities for practical training for University and post-secondary college students. Despite these encouraging