XN000022-1988-07-20 — Page 71

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1988

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HE ADDED THAT IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE FOR THESE SERVICES EXCEEDED $240 MILLION, REPRESENTING ABOUT 20 PER CENT OF DIRECT WELFARE EXPENDITURE.

HOWEVER, MR LAW STRESSED THAT DEVELOPMENTAL YOUTH WORK COULD NOT ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVE WITHOUT THE RESPONSE, SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE OF THE FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY.

IT WAS ALSO NECESSARY FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY PROJECTS, HE SAID.

ON PREVENTIVE SERVICES, HE NOTED THAT SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO EVERY SCHOOL WHILE OUTREACHING WORK WAS MAKING STEADY PROGRESS.

"ON THE OTHER HAND, WHEN CHILDREN ARE IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION OF SOCIAL WORKERS, EITHER BECAUSE OF THEIR BEHAVIOURAL OR FAMILY PROBLEMS, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL GIVE THEM ASSISTANCE," MR LAW SAID.

"VERY OFTEN, THESE CASES ARE ASSIGNED BY THE COURT TO BE PUT UNDER THE COUNSEL AND SUPERVISION OF SOCIAL WORKERS OF THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES.

"FOR SOME CASES, THEY MAY EVEN REQUIRE INSTITUTIONAL CARE AND TRAINING, HE ADDED.

AT PRESENT, THERE ARE SOME 2,000 YOUNGSTERS RECEIVING THE CARE AND PROTECTION BEING RENDERED MOSTLY BY CASE WORKERS.

PROBATION,

REMEDIAL SERVICES, COMPRISING

INSTITUTIONAL TRAINING AND AFTERCARE, WOULD BE NEEDED ΤΟ REHABILITATE THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHEN THEY BROKE THE LAW, MR LAW SAID.

"THE PROBATION OFFICERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER SOCIAL WORKERS ARE NOW SERVING SOME 3,500 CLIENTS WITH LONGER TERM, REMEDIAL COUNSELLING SERVICE," HE OBSERVED.

IN CONCLUSION THERE WAS A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF THESE FOUR TYPES OF YOUTH WORK, HE SAID.

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