SOCIAL WELFARE
Aimed at creating more employment opportunities for disabled persons, the pilot supported-employment scheme introduced by the Social Welfare Department became fully operative during the year. The scheme consists of a mobile crew comprising several disabled persons supervised by one non-handicapped person and takes up contracted cleaning jobs. Additional teams as well as other service models were being developed.
In order to improve the quality of services, two central support services were in operation to provide all rehabilitation day centres and hostels with professional back- up from clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Other new services introduced include the respite service which provides short-term relief to families with mentally handicapped persons, and the fourth home-based training team which was an interim measure to help train mentally handicapped persons awaiting placement.
The Queen Elizabeth Foundation for the Mentally Handicapped was set up in August 1988. Its purpose is to further the welfare, education and training of the mentally handi- capped and to promote their employment prospects. The management and use of the foundation's funds are determined by a council consisting of prominent members of the community appointed by the Governor. During the year, the foundation allocated $3.8 million in the form of grants or sponsorships to 23 voluntary agencies and four government departments enabling them to undertake projects for the benefit of mentally handicapped persons. The fund stood at $95 million on March 31, 1990.
Staff Development
Training of professional social workers is provided by the universities, polytechnics and post-secondary colleges. The Social Welfare Department and subvented welfare agencies assist in the provision of practical work placements for social work students from these institutions. The department, through its Lady Trench Training Centre, provides various types of in-service training programmes such as orientation courses for newly-recruited staff, basic social work training for non-professional grade staff, induction training for staff transferred to a new service area and staff development programmes to provide knowledge and skills in helping staff handle the increasingly complicated social problems.
During the year, the Training Centre organised 170 programmes, seminars and work- shops for 5 353 participants compared with 190 in 1989. It also operates a child care centre for 100 children aged between two and six years which serves as a training ground for child care centre workers.
To equip staff with updated and specialised skills in the various fields of professional practice, the department sponsors experienced staff to attend advanced local and overseas training courses and international conferences. During the year, 172 staff attended 40 such courses and conferences.
The Social Work Training Fund continues to provide financial assistance for individuals to pursue social work training in Hong Kong or overseas. In 1989, a total of 51 applicants were awarded either full or partial grants. It also provides funding support for other purposes, such as financing overseas experts to provide training and consultation, and the printing of resource training materials for social workers in Hong Kong.
Research and Statistics
The Research and Statistics Section provides a support service to the department by preparing estimates, conducting surveys, and developing and maintaining data systems.
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