SOCIAL WELFARE
182
there is a need for new centres. Two combined children and youth centres were opened in 1993 through reprovisioning, making a total of 216 children centres and 216 youth centres.
Outreaching social work attempts to cater for groups of young people at risk who do not normally participate in organised youth activities. To establish contact with these young people, social workers visit the places they are known to frequent. They provide counselling and guidance and other forms of services to help the young people overcome problems, develop their potential and become socially re-integrated. In 1993, four new outreaching social work teams were established. There were a total of 28 outreaching social work teams serving in priority areas with large youth populations, high population density and high juvenile crime rates.
All secondary schools are covered by the school social work service. Social workers based in schools identify and help students with personal, behavioural or family-related problems in adjusting to school life. Eighteen additional school social workers were provided in 1993, bringing the total to 168.
Uniformed organisations offer young people opportunities to join organised activities with progressive training programmes for the development of character and leadership to help them become responsible, self-reliant and caring members of the community. There are eight subvented welfare organisations with over 91 967 members operating a wide range of activities with different emphasis for different target groups of young people. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme offers a comprehensive programme focussing on development of the potential of young people, attracting a membership of 37 006 through its 20 operating authorities.
Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons
The objective of Hong Kong's rehabilitation services is to integrate disabled persons into the community. Services provided by government departments and non-governmental organisations assist disabled people to fully develop their physical, mental and social capabilities. These services are co-ordinated by the Commissioner for Rehabilitation, who also conducts regular reviews of the Rehabilitation Programme Plan, which projects the requirement for and identifies the shortfall in - rehabilitation services for the following 10 years. The future development of rehabilitation services is being examined after the publication in 1992 of the Green Paper on rehabilitation entitled Equal Opportunities and Full Participation: A Better Tomorrow for All.
-
The Department of Health is responsible for providing immunisation programmes against various communicable diseases and for promoting health education to prevent disabilities. It also provides screening services for the early detection and identification of disabilities. The Hospital Authority is responsible for providing medical rehabilitation services. The Social Welfare Department is responsible for the planning and development of a wide range of social rehabilitation services, either through direct service provision or subvention to non-governmental organisations. The Education Department is responsible for the planning and development of education and related supportive services for disabled children of school age. The Labour Department is responsible for job placements for the hearing and visually impaired, the physically and mentally handicapped, and discharged mental patients. The Transport Department subvents a Rehabus Service for disabled persons who have difficulties in using public transport. The Vocational Training Council is responsible for providing and co-ordinating vocational training for the disabled.