ENG-1962 — Page 235

SOCIAL WELFARE

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are primarily concerned with formal or academic social work training and despite the little time between their arrival and the start of the academic year in October they were able to submit interim proposals for revising and improving social study courses at the University of Hong Kong. The proposals were accepted by the University and are being implemented with the assistance of a grant of $51,000 from the Social Work Training Fund. Pre- liminary steps were also taken to strengthen the social study courses at one of the post-secondary colleges.

Numerous other measures designed to increase both the number and the competence of social workers were undertaken during the year. The value of Government bursaries awarded for social studies at the University of Hong Kong was increased to the record figure of $76,750, while 13 officers from the department were sent abroad for specialized training and seminars. In co-operation with volun- tary agencies the department conducted two training courses on basic aspects of social work and provided expanded facilities for practical training for university and post-secondary college students. At the same time 32 officers enrolled in extra-mural courses at Hong Kong University. Despite these encouraging moves the pro- vision of an adequate number of trained social workers will for some time remain one of the main problems facing those respon- sible for improving and expanding social welfare services in the Colony. The community centre programme, the steadily mounting number of applications for adoption of children, the increasing number of offenders entrusted, by magistrates to the supervision of probation officers, and the pressing need for social investiga- tions, surveys and practical research all add to the demand for more social workers.

The need for social work research, also referred to in Dr Younghusband's report, has been recognized by Government and a study was made during the year to determine how such research should be carried out and how it could be financed. The Social Welfare Advisory Committee was re-organized to advise Govern- ment on matters of social welfare policy and such matters as may be referred to it by the Director of Social Welfare, including applications from voluntary agencies for subventions. The com- mittee consists of nine unofficials who have experience of social