Social Welfare 209
Pilot Cyber Youth Outreaching Projects
In August 2011, SWD launched three three-year pilot cyber youth outreaching projects with funding support from the Lotteries Fund to address the changing needs of young people, in particular at-risk and hidden youths, and tackle internet- related youth problems. A research consultant was also commissioned to conduct an evaluative study to evaluate systematically the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of these pilot projects and recommend the way forward for cyber youth work.
Enhancement of School Social Work Service
In September 2011, the SWD allocated additional resources to 34 NGOs to enhance social work services in secondary schools by providing a total of 96 additional school social worker posts, representing a 20 per cent increase in manpower, to help prevent and tackle student drug abuse and other related problems.
Social Welfare Programmes
Family and Child Welfare
A variety of family and child welfare services is provided by the SWD and NGOs.
Family Services
The SWD adopts a three-pronged approach to providing services to families in need.
At the primary level, attempts are made through early detection, public education, publicity and empowerment to prevent family problems from occurring. The department continued its territory-wide publicity campaign 'Strengthening Families and Combating Violence' and its operation of a departmental hotline to provide service information, counselling and other forms of assistance.
At the secondary level, support services, ranging from
ranging from developmental programmes to intensive counselling, are provided by 62 IFSCs across all districts in Hong Kong and two integrated services centres located in Tung Chung.
At the tertiary level, specialised services, including crisis intervention, are provided in cases of domestic or sexual violence, family crisis or custody dispute.
Services for Children
The SWD provides a wide range of welfare services to children and young people who need care or protection owing to serious family, behavioural or emotional problems. There were 3 585 residential places in 2011 for these children, of which 1 020 were in foster homes, 864 in small group homes, 207 in residential child care centres and 1 494 in boys' and girls' homes and hostels, etc.
The SWD also arranges adoption for children abandoned by their parents or whose parents are unable to support them. Three NGOs have been accredited as 'accredited bodies' in accordance with the Adoption Ordinance for making arrangements for local adoption and inter-country adoption of Hong Kong children.