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SOCIAL WELFARE

growth of responsible attitudes towards citizenship and to en- courage people to take a more active part in the furthering of local objectives and activities which are beneficial to their districts. Consideration is being given to their appointment on a permanent basis. Special emphasis is now being placed on the training of young volunteers and the development of voluntary service teams as a direct result of the summer youth programmes.

The Social Welfare Department works in close co-operation with voluntary welfare organisations such as the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, the Scouts Association, the Girl Guides Association, the Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association, the YMCA and YWCA, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Caritas and many others in a variety of programmes.

FAMILY SERVICES

The family services of the department consist of a regionalised network of 12 casework offices and supporting specialised services for the welfare of children and women and the rehabilitation of the disabled.

Casework services provided include: counselling on problems involving interpersonal relationships, adjustment to disabilities, training and employment; recommendations for day or residential care; resettlement accommodation, and hawker licences; assistance in schooling and in providing medical attention; rehabilitation of the physically disabled and mentally retarded; protection of children and young people in need of care; and social investigations in cases of Workmen's Compensation, proposed marriage of minors and non-attendance at primary schools. The number of families and individuals receiving such services continued to increase and at the end of the year amounted to 11,967.

The child care services of the department are responsible for adoptions and for liaison with voluntary welfare organisations operating children's homes, nurseries/creches, play centres and babies' homes. During the year more than 11,770 places were available in some 73 non-profit-making nurseries/creches and 14 play centres. The majority of these are assisted by a re- current subvention from the Government. The department is also in close touch with the Child Care Institutions and Day Nursery Committees of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service as well as with UNICEF. Legal adoptions of children made in accordance with the provisions of the Adoption Ordinance require investigation by the department in the first instance as to the