ENG-1973 — Page 162

SOCIAL WELFARE

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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 Boys' and Girls' Clubs Association, the YMCA, the YWCA, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme, Caritas and many others in a variety of programmes.

The department is also involved in the Summer Youth Activities Programme, which has become an annual event. A large number of voluntary welfare organisa- tions, district organisations, community associations and youth groups are concerned with the planning and organisation of the massive recreation programme. About 1.5 million young people took part in the 1973 programme.

Family Welfare Service

The family service division of the department consists of a regionalised network of 18 casework offices located in five district offices and seven family service centres. Casework services provided by the department include counselling on problems in- volving family conflicts, the care of children and disturbed adolescents, unmarried mothers and advice on employment, compassionate housing, schooling for children, adoption, and day and residential care. The number of families and individuals receiv- ing such services totalled 22,784 in 1973.

The family services division is also responsible for carrying out statutory respon- sibilities, principally under the Protection of Women and Juveniles Ordinance and the Adoption Ordinance. Temporary residential care is provided by the department's Chuk Yuen Children's Reception Centre for 80 children who are in need of care and protection, and an immediate home.

Legal adoption of children is made in accordance with the provisions of the Adoption Ordinance which requires investigation by the department as to the suita- bility of the adoptive parents. During the year, a total 351 children were adopted locally and 14 children were adopted by families abroad through two voluntary agencies, the International Social Service and Caritas.

The institutions liaison unit continues to advise and assist voluntary agencies operating non-profit-making residential and day-care services. During the year, more than 10,000 places were available in some 84 non-profit-making nurseries and creches and nine play centres. The majority of these are assisted by a recurrent subvention from the government.

For women and girls in moral danger and with behaviour problems, the depart- ment, in addition to providing the individual and her family with counselling, runs two pre-vocational training centres. Residential care and training for these girls are provided mainly by three voluntary welfare organisations-the Congregation of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, the Po Leung Kuk and the Salvation Army.

Rehabilitation

In the field of rehabilitation, the aim of the department is provide disabled peo- ple, where possible, with the opportunity of becoming independent and productive