XN000022-1976-07-21 — Page 14

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 1976

13

COUNSELLING SERVICES, FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

*****

COUNSELLING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IS ALREADY AVAILABLE AT ALL 13 DISTRICT FAMILY SERVICES OFFICES AND CENTRES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. M.C. MORGAN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, HE SAID: +IN ADDITION, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES ARE OPERATING AN EXPERIMENTAL YOUTH COUNSELLING PROJECT TO PROVIDE IN-DEPTH COUNSELLING TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND FOUR PILOT YOUTH GUIDANCE SCHEMES ON A DISTRICT BASIS.

+THESE SCHEMES AIM AT SEEKING OUT AND HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 11 AND 15 YEARS WHO ARE SCHOOL DROP-OUTS OR POTENTIAL DROP-OUTS OR WHO HAVE BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS.+

MR. MORGAN SAID THE FORMER PROJECT WAS ALREADY UNDER REVIEW AND THE LATTER SCHEMES WILL BE EVALUATED AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.

EXPERIENCE GAINED, HE ADDED, SHOULD BE INVALUABLE IN DETERMINING IN WHAT DIRECTION SUCH SERVICES SHOULD DEVELOP.

HE POINTED OUT THAT COUNSELLING WAS ALSO AVAILABLE ON A LIMITED BASIS TO STUDENTS THROUGH SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK.

+ IT IS THE INTENTION TO EXPAND THESE SERVICES AS RESOURCES PERMIT, HE CONCLUDED.

/14