Social_Welfare_Annual_Report_1961-1962 — Page 7

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

ONE of the most encouraging features in the field of social welfare during the year was the increasing support for positive and constructive measures to help people to become and to remain independent self- respecting citizens. This brought a corresponding shift in emphasis from the relief or 'hand-out' type of service to those characterized by preventive and rehabilitative aims, where such material relief as may be given is seen as part of a larger attempt to help people resolve the problem that prevents them from fending for themselves. Indeed, social work generally began to take on a more mature look, as progress was made in following up the recommendations of the Report* on social work training made by Dr. Eileen YOUNGHUSBAND in September 1960. The development of a comprehensive programme for training social workers at the various levels required by local conditions remains the most urgent and important need; such a programme is essential as a sound basis for rapid and effective advance towards meeting the social needs of Hong Kong.

2. The acceptance of the Younghusband Report by Government as a basis for the development of training and the consequent appointment, during the year under review, of three expert Consultants, referred to at greater length in Chapter III, focussed attention on the prime necessity to increase the number of qualified social workers and improve the training of those at present employed. A generous grant by UNICEF made it possible to begin to set up a Social Work Training Unit, initially to be under the professional supervision of the Consultant on In-Service Training, which is to be responsible for training the staff of both voluntary organizations and Government departments; this Unit will help not only to co-ordinate and give fresh impetus to the various in-service training programmes now under way, but also to strengthen the close working relationships of those organizations and departments

* Training for social work in Hong Kong' by Eileen L. YOUNGHUSBAND, C.B.E., LL.D., J.P., available from the Government Publications Counter, General Post Office, Price $6.00.

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