ENG-1963 — Page 253

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SOCIAL WELFARE

University of Hong Kong. A total of 25 bursaries were shared by 11 students entering for the certificate in social studies and by 14 sitting for the arts degree, to be followed by the post-graduate diploma.

The social work training unit inaugurated its second year of in- service training courses for the staff of both voluntary welfare organizations and Government departments, under the expert guidance of Miss Martha Moscrop, the consultant on in-service training. A total of 113 workers, representing 25 voluntary agencies and three Government departments, have so far been selected for training, as compared with 137 in the previous year. At the same time, 24 officers from the Social Welfare Department enrolled in extra-mural courses at the University of Hong Kong and 10 others were taking higher training overseas.

Child Welfare. The opening of new facilities and the expansion of existing accommodation in non-profit-making day nurseries, play centres and creches has enabled more young children to benefit from care and attention while their parents are at work. Places increased during the year from some 4,000 to 5,000. Residential institutions for babies and children, which together provide some 2,800 places, continued to care for orphans or children whose parents had failed, temporarily or permanently, to provide care at home. A new venture in the field of child welfare services was inaugurated on the completion of the children's reception centre, presented by the American Government as a contribution to World Refugee Year. This centre is designed to function as a 'clearing house' where a maximum of 80 children can be placed for initial care and detailed observation and assessment while their future is planned. The number of babies abandoned was 126 compared with 143 in 1962. Adoptions of abandoned children from institu- tions into families in Hong Kong exceeded this number and more children were adopted overseas, through the co-operation of two international welfare agencies, International Social Service and Catholic Relief Services, the increase being partly due to successful efforts to place older and handicapped children in families abroad. School fees, cash grants, clothing and equipment were provided on an increased scale for needy children by a number of voluntary welfare agencies. During the year more than 10,000 children were