SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 1990
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SWD HOTLINE SERVICE WELL PATRONISED
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S HOTLINE SERVICE HAS HANDLED MORE THAN 12,000 ENQUIRIES IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, REPRESENTING A TWO-FOLD INCREASE OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
A DEPARTMENT
SPOKESMAN ATTRIBUTED THE INCREASE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW SERVICES SUCH AS OCCASIONAL CHILD CARE SERVICE, AFTER-SCHOOL CARE SERVICE AND THE LOWERING OF ELIGIBILITY AGE FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE TO 66.
"THE HIGHEST NUMBER WAS RECORDED
IN MARCH WHEN THE HOTLINE RECEIVED 2,600 CALLS. MOST OF THE ENQUIRIES ARE IN CONNECTION WITH THE REVISION OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENT AND THE ELIGIBILITY AGE
FOR OLD AGE ALLOWANCE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
НЕ SAID THE HOTLINE SERVICE ALSO PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO PROBLEM FAMILIES.
"SOME PEOPLE CALLED IN BECAUSE THEY HAD A CHILD CARE PROBLEM. OUR SOCIAL WORKERS WHO MANNED THE HOTLINE WOULD REFER THEM ΤΟ FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES FOR ASSISTANCE.
"IN CASES WHEN THE CALLER EXPRESSED PROBLEM WITH OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, OUR DUTY OFFICER WOULD TRY TO PACIFY THEIR EMOTION AND REFER THEM TO SOCIAL WORKERS OF FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES FOR COUNSELLING AND OTHER FORM OF ASSISTANCE, HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE HOTLINE PROVED TO BE AN EFFECTIVE CHANNEL FOR THE PUBLIC TO OBTAIN IMMEDIATE INFORMATION ON THE DEPARTMENT'S SERVICES, TO PROVIDE ON-LINE COUNSELLING AND FOLLOW-UP SERVICE.
THE HOTLINE IS MANNED BY FOUR SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANTS BY ROTATION FROM 9 AM TO 10 PM MONDAY TO SATURDAY AND FROM 1 PM TO 10 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. AN AUTOMATIC RECORDING SYSTEM ALSO OPERATES OUTSIDE NORMAL WORKING HOURS.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 343 2255 IF THEY REQUIRE ANY FORM OF SOCIAL WELFARE ASSISTANCE OR ADVICE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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