202 Social Welfare
The probation service helped 2 468 offenders during the year. Probation officers assess and report to the courts on the offenders' suitability for probation supervision while monitoring their compliance with probation orders. The officers also prepare reports on long-term prisoners and petitioners for consideration of early release.
During the year, 1 673 offenders aged 14 or above who were convicted of offences punishable by imprisonment were placed on Community Service Orders requiring them to perform unpaid community work arranged and supervised by SWD officers. Six residential homes, with 380 places, provide educational, prevocational and character training for juvenile offenders as well as children and young people with behavioural and/or family problems. The six homes are being located under a single roof and the move is expected to be completed by August 2007.
The Young Offender Assessment Panel, jointly operated by the Correctional Services Department (CSD) and the SWD, provides the courts with coordinated professional views on sentencing options for offenders aged between 14 and 24. The Post-Release Supervision of Prisoners Scheme, another joint service of the SWD and the CSD, assisted 434 discharged prisoners during their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community in 2006. An NGO is subvented to provide hostel and supportive services for ex-offenders.
Services for Young People
The overall objective of welfare services for young people is to help those aged between six and 24 develop into mature, responsible and contributing members of society through a range of preventive, supportive and remedial services.
To address the changing needs of young people in an integrated and holistic manner, 133 Integrated Children and Youth Services Centres (ICYSCs) provide children and youth centre services, outreach social work services, school social work services and, where possible, family life education. Eighteen of the ICYSCS also provide Overnight Outreach Services for young night drifters.
At year-end, 492 secondary schools were each provided with a school social worker to identify and help students with academic, social and emotional problems, to maximise their educational opportunities and to develop their potential. Sixteen District Youth Outreaching Social Work Teams provided services to high-risk youths and dealt with juvenile gang issues.
Funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, PATHS to Adulthood, a Jockey Club Youth Enhancement Scheme, was in full operation in the 2006-07 school year, after a year of trial. The four-year project is designed to promote the holistic development of junior secondary students into responsible young adults. A total of 230 secondary schools joined the scheme.
Six teams were formed under the Community Support Service Scheme (CSSS) to counsel young people who have broken the law or are at risk of doing so. The Family Conference Scheme, jointly run by the SWD and the Hong Kong Police Force, assists juveniles cautioned under the Police Superintendent's Discretion Scheme. Social