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ENCLOSURE NO. 2.
Summary of the principal activities newly developed or initiated by the Hong Kong Government through its Social Welfare Office during the twelve months ending 1st October, 1950.
Child Welfare. (Policy adopted: To improve the care and protection of all children, but particularly deprived children, in accordance with modern theory and practice).
1. An experienced Children's Officer from the Social Welfare Office has been given an intensive all-round local training before leaving in August 1950 for a two year Home Office course in child welfare.
2. The Protection of Women and Girls Ordinance, 1938, has been completely re-written as a Protection of Women and Juveniles Ordinance to include, inter alia, all adaptable provisions of U.K. Children's Acts. (The draft Bill will probably be introduced before the end of this year). 3. A new and comprehensive draft Adoptions Ordinance has been completed by the Social Welfare Office.
4.
The Women and Children's Section of the Social Welfare Office has been re-organised, and strengthened by the 1950/51 establishment of 6 Children's Officers and 11 Assistant Children's Officers (all women with good qualifications), instead of 4 Women Senior Social Workers and 7 Women Social Workers.
Public Assistance. (Policy adopted:
.
To build up public assistance measures primarily for vulnerable persons having a claim on Hong Kong).
5. Free feeding centres overhauled in accordance with policy to restrict benefits to genuine Hong Kong residents incapable of work. The majority of beneficiaries are now children. In addition co-operative schemes for laundry, gardening, home industries etc. on a modest scale have also been started or fostered amongst the destitutes who attend these centres.
The Blind. (Policy adopted: To encourage voluntary enterprise).
6.
Scheme adopted for increasing subventions to voluntary Homes to encourage engagement of trained staff proved successful.
Youth Welfare. (Policy adopted: To promote all aspects of constructive youth work as being the most vital of all the Colony's long-term needs).
7. Ten voluntary youth organisations were persuaded to set up an advisory Standing Conference of Youth Organisations, with the Social Welfare Office and the Education Department included as full members. A detailed report and far-reaching recommendations on Youth Welfare policy for Hong Kong were prepared by this Conference and are now being considered by Government.
8. Active encouragement and practical help has been given to Rotary and other Societies planning to establish a large scale year-round boys' camp.
9.
With the active participation of the Social Welfare Office and Education Department a new model Welfare Centre has been opened in crowded Wanchai, primarily for the benefit of juveniles and children.
10. The new specialised post of Principal Youth Welfare Officer, with the standing and salary of a full mistress, has been created in the Social Welfare Office.
Juvenile Delinquency.
(Policy adopted: To proceed with general plans and minor improvements pending further practical recommendations by the recently arrived Principal Probation Officer).
11.
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