XN000022-1982-04-08 — Page 5

THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1982

+I BELIEVE THAT IN ADDITION TO MEETING MAINTENANCE COSTS, WE SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER WHAT FURTHER INCENTIVES ARE NEEDED TO ENCOURAGE THE FOSTER PARENT WHOSE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY IT IS TO CARE FOR THE CHILD, MR ALLEYNE SAID.

REFERRING TO THE OTHER TYPE OF NON-INSTITUTIONAL CARE

THE SMALL GROUP HOME -- WHICH HE WAS MOST ANXIOUS TO SEE RAPIDLY EXPANDED, MR ALLEYNE SAID SUCH HOMES WERE STAFFED BY A MARRIED COUPLE SUPERVISED BY PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS.

THE HOUSE-MOTHER IS PAID A FULL-TIME SALARY AND THE HOUSE- FATHER, WHO IS EXPECTED TO HAVE OTHER OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, RECEIVES AN INCENTIVE ALLOWANCE. THEY ALSO ENJOY RENT-FREE ACCOMMODATION, FREE MEALS AND THE ASSISTANCE OF A FULL-TIME AMAH.

+THE GREAT ADVANTAGE OF THE SMALL GROUP HOME, THE DIRECTOR SAID, IS THAT THE CHILD DOES NOT FEEL HIMSELF TO BE SEGREGATED FROM NORMAL SOCIETY OR UNNECESSARILY STIGMATISED BECAUSE HE IS NOT ABLE TO ENJOY A NORMAL FAMILY LIFE.+

MR ALLEYNE SAID THAT LIKE FOSTER SERVICE, PROGRESS IN EXPANDING THE PROVISION OF SMALL GROUP HOMES HAD BEEN +DISAPPOINTINGLY SLOW+.

AT PRESENT, THERE IS ONLY ONE SMALL GROUP HOME OPERATING, WHILE THE OPENING OF A SECOND HAS BEEN DELAYED FOR SOME TIME BECAUSE OF DIFFICULTY IN RECRUITING SUITABLE HOUSE-PARENTS.

MR ALLEYNE SAID THAT A STEERING COMMITTEE COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WORK ING

IN THE CHILD CARE FIELD, HAD BEEN, AMONG OTHER THINGS, WORKING ON NEW STANDARDS FOR THE STAFFING AND THE ACCOMMODATION OF SMALL GROUP HOMES.

HE WAS HOPEFUL THAT THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD MAKE THIS SERVICE MORE ATTRACTIVE BOTH TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND TO POTENTIAL HOUSE-PARENTS.

+OUR OBJECTIVE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, HE WENT ON, +IS TO TRY AND SET UP THREE SMALL GROUP HOMÉS EACH YEAR WITH EACH GROUP OF THREE HOMES SUPERVISED BY A FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKER AND PROVIDED WITH THE NECESSARY ADMINISTRATIVE AND RELIEF STAFFING SUPPORT.+

HE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF ATTRACTING POTENTIAL HOUSE- PARENTS WHO WERE PREPARED TO MAKE THE SUBSTANTIAL PERSONAL COMMITMENT REQUIRED BY THIS SERVICE.

PRIORITY MUST BE TO FIND +MATURE AND CARING COUPLES WHO FEEL THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO TAKE ON A LARGE FULL-TIME FAMILY,+ HE SAID.

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