TNAG-0789-FCO40-993-Development-of-social-policy-in-Hong-Kong-proposed-contribut-1978 — Page 148

11.18

Before reaching a decision as to whether there should be greater reliance on non Government financed services in some areas of social welfare, it would be wise to carry out some practical tests. Child care centres and homes for the elderly seem to be suitable services for testing. The aim of the experiment would be to see whether a workable system could be developed, under which the client is charged for the cost of the service and an allowance to cover that charge, or part of it, is added when calculating entitlement to public assistance. Those not now entitled to assistance might become entitled to an allowance, after taking the amount of the charge into account; in that way they would receive a partial reimbursement of the charge. The cost of the service would be related to the cost of a Government financed home or centre.

11.19 Proposals on these lines will not appeal to everyone. Some of those who run homes or centres might fear that they would lose clients, if the service ceased to be liberally subsidized or free. Others, however, might welcome the fact that they no longer had to concern themselves with the income of those applying for places. Some at present enjoying such subvented services might resent having to seek public assistance, and special arrangements might have to be made to enable them to continue to enjoy the service on the present basis. Others might welcome the greater freedom of choice offered by the new arrangements. The Government proposes to discuss the experiment further with the organizations concerned, parti- cularly the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.

11.20 If this experiment shows that it is desirable as a permanent arrangement, consideration would have to be given to adopting a similar approach to other fields of service.

11.21

The key to establishing a satisfactory financial relationship between social security and social welfare services lies in a consistent and effective policy on fees for social welfare services. Accordingly, the Government proposes to discuss with the organizations concerned, particularly the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, how best to achieve this objective.

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