TNAG-0968-FCO40-1187-Development-of-social-policy-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 16

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C. SOCIAL WELFARE

Introduction

49.6

4 comprehensive White Paper entitled "Social. Welfare into the 1980's," covering the future development of Hong Kong's social security and welfare services, was published in April 1979. The responsibility for co-ordinating all welfare activities and implementing Government policies for social welfare rests with the Social Welfare Department, The Department has an establishment of about 2,560 and provides direct services in the following areas:"social Security, family services (which include family casework, counselling, institutional care and school social work), group and community work (which is outside the responsibility of the Social Services Branch) probation and correction, and rehabilitation. These services are provided through a network of district offices and service centres. Following a re-organisation which took effect on 1 April 1979, departmental, services are now operated and co-ordinated on a district basis through 11 district offices (set up in the 4 regions of Hong Kong, East owloon, West Kowloon and the New Territories) Planning and overall development of services is the responsibility of the Department's Headquarters.

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50.

Voluntary agencies play a significant role in providing welfare services. The majority of these are affiliated to the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and many are subvented by the Government. With diminishing financial assistance from overseas, the voluntary sector has become increasingly dependent on Government subvention and assistance from local charitable funds and don tions. The Community Chest of Hong Kong, to which some 60 welfare bodies belong, represents an endeavour by these organis tions to co-ordinate their fund-raising activities.

51.

The Social Welfare Advisory Committee (SWAC), whose members are appointed by the Governor, is Government's main advisory body on social welfare policy. It consists of 11 unofficial and 3 official members with the Director of Social Welfare as the chairman. Through a sub-committee it administers subventions to voluntary agencies. Another sub-committee annually reviews the Five Year Plan for Social Welfare Development.

52.

In the 1979/80 financial year, estimated Government expenditure on social welfare totalled $630 million, representing an increase of 22% over the previous year. The corresponding estimate for 1980/81 is $750 million, which represents a further increase of 1%.