ENG-1964 — Page 162

SOCIAL WELFARE

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University a four-year undergraduate course with social work major leads to a BA degree or a diploma; the first degrees were awarded in September. To encourage professional training in this field, the Government has been providing bursaries for students enrolled in the courses at the University of Hong Kong. The total value of those awarded during 1964 was $94,500 and 29 students benefited. Three different in-service training courses are conducted by the Training Unit of the Social Welfare Department for staff employed by both Government and voluntary agencies. The keen interest of voluntary agencies is shown by enrolment during the year of 136 trainees, employed by 43 different agencies. Opportunities for study abroad, often in specialized fields, are sometimes open to social workers; during the year 18 members of the Social Welfare Department were taking higher training overseas, mainly in Britain and Canada; and the Social Work Training Fund has begun to assist voluntary agencies in the same direction.

CHILD WELFARE

As more women are attracted into industry there has been a rising demand for day care services for children below school age. During the year seven new nurseries and four play centres were opened, providing a total of 9,500 places in day care centres as compared with some 5,000 last year. In contrast, institutional care is now needed only to replace home or day care when the latter is not feasible. In the past five years three residential homes for children were closed, while the premises of several others were converted into day nurseries. Homes are now being used more and more for short-term care, with every effort being made towards the early return of the children to their own families, or their entry into new families through adoption. Residential institutions for babies and children continue to provide some 3,000 places for orphans or children whose parents have failed, temporarily or permanently, to provide care at home; there are now 19 such homes, ranging in capacity from over 800 to less than ten.

A new venture has begun with the opening of the Children's Reception Centre, which serves as a transit home for any child who needs care and protection. Eighty young children can be placed for initial care and detailed observation and assessment for a few months in this government-run home while their future is planned.