Social_Welfare_Annual_Report_1969-1970 — Page 22

52. The more usual kind of casework services provided by the Division consist of the following:

(a) Advice on problems involving family relationships;

(b) The administration of aid under public assistance;

(c) Referrals to appropriate Government departments and welfare agencies for the purposes of obtaining supplementary aid, advice on employment, resettlement accommodation, hawker licences, free or subsidized schooling for children, nursery care and institutional care;

(d) Services designed to rehabilitate the physically handicapped and

the mentally disabled;

(e) The protection of children and young persons in need of care; (f) Investigations into applications for legal aid and workmen's

compensation and to obtain benefits from certain trust funds.

53. It is a common mistake to think of a caseworker as a desk- bound official sitting in his or her office waiting for things to happen. On the contrary, caseworkers make a great many visits to the home of people who have been assisted or may require assistance. These visits are made in connection with verification of facts, collection of informa- tion and periodic reviews of cases to establish the effectiveness of whatever advice or assistance as may have been given in the past, or to render assistance where an applicant is unable to call at the office. In addition to normal visits of this kind, Officers-in-charge are respon- sible for seeking out people in need. Their staffs are instructed to respond immediately to such cases as may be reported in the press or elsewhere, regarding the death or injury of persons and any resulting destitution of their dependents through such unfortunate occurrences as traffic accidents, fires, suicides and natural disasters.

THE WELFARE OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

54. Casework service in connection with the welfare of women and children is provided through the District Offices and Family Services Centres; these are supported by specialized services administered centrally by the Principal Social Welfare Officer (Children and Women), including the co-ordination of day care for children in child care centres which are provided mainly by voluntary welfare organizations, legal adoption of children, and residential care and pre-vocational training for women and girls.

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