TNAG-1856-FCO40-2631-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 209

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

香港立法局 -一九八九年六月二十八日

28 June 1989

73

Social welfare service

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I should now like to turn to issues in the social welfare field. By and large, Hong Kong parents have been able to provide a stable and loving environment in which their children can develop to their fullest potential. The family is the most natural and suitable unit for children to grow up and develop in. A happy home produces happy and well-adjusted children and parents are the children's best teachers and guardians. The primary emphasis of our welfare programme has therefore been to preserve the integrity and harmony of the family and to help parents to fulfil their responsibilities.

To foster good family relations, the Social Welfare Department and the various voluntary agencies energetically promote family life education programmes. This service is provided by family life education workers who arrange talks, seminars and exhibitions on responsible parenthood, child care, sex education and harmonious family relationship.

The Government recognizes the importance of day creches and nurseries in helping parents to cope with the demands of a busy working life and the care of their young children. The Government recognizes that the current provision of aided nursery places is insufficient to meet growing demand. To reduce the risk of parents leaving young children unattended at home, or with inexperienced childminders, it is planned that 1 600 additional places will be opened each year until the demand is met. Low income families with special needs can obtain financial assistance in paying nursery fees. In 1988-89 some 8 000 families benefited from this assistance, at a cost of about $39 million to Government. The possibility of providing opportunities for parents to place their young children in nurseries or creches for short periods of time is under consideration.

In addition to the love and care children receive from the family, they need guidance and stimulation from outside sources. To help children derive the maximum benefit from their education and to help them overcome any social or emotional problems, student guidance officers and social workers work closely with teachers to identify children who may be experiencing problems and to provide them with the necessary help and guidance.

Outside the school, a wide range of recreational and other facilities are available for children. These include 347 children and youth centres which serve as a focal point for activities designed to develop personality and leadership and to cultivate interests and social skills.