ENG-1976 — Page 160

9

Social Welfare

九

A REVIEW of social welfare payments and services was begun during the year to make sure that adequate provision is made for all vulnerable groups within the community.

Meanwhile, to remedy a shortcoming which made itself felt during the recent worldwide recession, the Governor announced plans to extend the public assistance scheme to able-bodied people between 15 and 55 who through no fault of their own are unable to support themselves. This is to come into effect in the 1977-8 financial year, subject to satisfactory arrangements being made to prevent abuse. So far there has been little abuse of the public assistance scheme.

A programme plan covering services to the handicapped was produced in 1976 and other plans on services for the elderly and the young are being prepared. Once these plans and the general review are completed, the government intends to produce an amended and more comprehensive social welfare programme.

Despite the need to observe financial restraint for much of the year, a substantial number of projects were carried out. These included the inauguration of further play leadership schemes, the establishment of a drop-in centre and a new home for the aged, the expansion of two other old people's homes, the completion of an additional community centre, and the establishment of five day care centres, four children's centres and four youth centres. An important landmark was the implementation of the Child Care Centres Ordinance, which provides for the registration and inspection of child care centres to ensure that certain prescribed minimum standards are observed and that the children in these centres are cared for properly.

On all matters of social welfare policy, including that of subvention to the voluntary agencies and grants from the Lotteries Fund, the government is advised by the Social Welfare Advisory Committee. This committee is appointed by the Governor and consists mainly of members of the public who are active in community affairs. The Director of Social Welfare is the chairman.

Responsibility for implementing government policy rests with the Social Welfare Department, which operates basically through five divisions. These are: the group and community work division, which aims at the development of social responsibility and coherent community groups; the family services division, which is responsible for a wide range of services designed to help individual families and family members; the rehabilitation division, which is concerned with the provision of services for the disabled; the probation and corrections division, which provides social services for the courts and operates correctional institutions for young offenders; and the social security division, which is responsible for the administration of public assistance and other social security schemes. These divisions are further supported by a number of