Social_Welfare_Annual_Report_1967-1968 — Page 33

WELFARE OF CHILDREN AND WOMEN

72. Casework service in connection with welfare of children and women is provided through the district offices, but there are other supporting services in this field which are centrally administered and supervised by the Principal Officer (Children and Women) who is also available as a specialist to give advice in individual cases. The support- ing services to which reference is made include day care services for children, adoption work, residential homes for children and young women and vocational training centres.

DAY CARE SERVICES

73. Day care services for children are still greatly needed and in great demand. These are provided by voluntary agencies working in close collaboration with the Social Welfare Department. There is strong pres- sure in Hong Kong for education to begin below the age of entry to primary school; and day nurseries, whose approach and function differs from that of a kindergarten, are under pressure to provide an introduction to formal education. During the year under review, one play centre was converted into a kindergarten and one day nursery reduced its capacity by 52 places to make room for a kindergarten class. At present there are 68 non-profit-making nurseries and creches and 18 play centres, some sponsored by international agencies, but most of them run by Hong Kong welfare organizations. Five nurseries and creches and one play centre were opened during the year. More than thirteen thousand and two hundred places are now provided for in these day-care centres. UNICEF regularly provides equipment for local day-care centres, a service to Hong Kong which is much appreciated.

74. The Family Services Division has continued to maintain close liaison with children's homes operated by voluntary agencies, and since September, 1967 has assumed responsibility for liaison with 3 boys' hostels-the Norway Hostel and two hostels run by the Society of Boys Centres previously linked with the Probation and Corrections Division.

75. A United Nations consultant spent about six months in Hong Kong at the invitation of the Government during the latter half of 1966 to undertake a survey of the local children's homes. Copies of the report have been circulated to homes which were visited by him. In his report recommendations were made for future development concerning es- tablishment and implementation of improved child care practices and improved standards in children's homes.

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