6
REVIEW
But the situation changed and improved social welfare over the years has marked the extent of that change. Estate community centres were started, family welfare services were reorganised on a regional basis, training centres were set up for the dis- abled, probation and correction services were expanded and refined.
Perhaps the most significant move was the introduction of a government system of public assistance in cash.
Notable though these advances were, they hardly measured up to Hong Kong's requirements in size and scope, but they did provide a sound basis for building a more comprehensive scheme to care for those prevented, through no fault of their own, from sharing the general prosperity.
Such a scheme was launched in October when the government nailed its colours to the masthead with a forward-looking five-year programme for the development of welfare services in which expertise and professionalism will play the dominant part.
The role which voluntary agencies have performed has been invaluable, and they will continue to be indispensable. But the days are over when the qualities of energy, enthusiasm and devotion which many of them brought to the field are in themselves sufficient to meet the needs of the community.
Shortage of trained staff has long haunted Hong Kong's welfare programme and the proposal to set up an institute for social work training will go a long way to banish that spectre. The institute will take its first students in 1973 and will give two-year courses to people entering government or voluntary service. Together with the in-take of social science graduates from the universities it will create a strong corps of professional workers.
The five-year programme, a joint effort by the government and voluntary agencies, is the product of a genuine partnership to plan these improvements. The proposals are concerned with help by cash and service.
The public assistance scheme already in being gives aid to those who do not have adequate means of support. It is now proposed that cash support should also be given to the severely disabled and the elderly infirm and, progressively, to other vulnerable groups. Perhaps the most enlightened feature is that help will be offered regardless of income.
Facilities will be improved for the disabled, including the mentally retarded, especially in the fields of vocational training, job placement, sheltered work and housing. This means that every disabled person in need of assistance will be given the chance to reach a position of social and economic independence in the community.
It is also intended that the elderly should be helped to live at home in the com- munity as long as possible by providing them special services.
Finally, the existing network of community and social centres will be extended so that everyone in Hong Kong will have direct access to them.