CHAPTER 11
Social Welfare
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HONG KONG is not a welfare state but the community cares deeply about its state of welfare. Residents expect the Government to help the disadvantaged maintain an acceptable standard of living. In 1999, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) spent $27.9 billion in running its services.
The responsibility for carrying out government policies on social welfare rests with the Director of Social Welfare. It is based on the objectives set out in three White Papers, the most recent-on rehabilitation-entitled Equal Opportunities and Full Participation: A Better Tomorrow for All (1995).
The Government is advised on social welfare policy by the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, covering all areas of social welfare development, the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee on matters of rehabilitation and the Elderly Commission on services for the elderly. Members of the above committees/commission are appointed by the Chief Executive and their meetings are chaired by non-officials. The SWD maintains a close working partnership with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), most of which are subvented by the Government and affiliated with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.
Arising from the recommendations of the 1998 Review of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme, the department implemented a package of measures, including the Support for Self-reliance Scheme, on June 1. These measures focused on helping and encouraging employable CSSA recipients to move towards self-reliance. At the same time, the SWD strengthened controls to safeguard public expenditure against fraud and abuse in social security.
More services and resources were provided in 1999 to meet rising needs. There was an addition of 785 day nursery places. Five clinical psychologist posts created in 1998 were filled. For young people, 14 additional school social workers and an outreaching social work team were provided. Four combined children and youth centres and six integrated teams were established. Also, two pilot projects to help youth at risk were being conducted.
For the elderly, a further 239 places in homes for the aged, 701 places in care-and- attention homes, and 450 places in nursing homes were provided; 25 home care teams, four home help teams, four independent social centres, two multi-service centres, three day-care centres, two carers' support centres and two support teams were set up.
For people with disabilities, the department established an additional 280 places in sheltered workshops, and 150 places in hostels for the mentally handicapped. There