ENG-1982 — Page 185

SOCIAL WELFARE

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Considerable shortfalls have been identified in the Rehabilitation Programme Plan in the provision of care for the mentally handicapped and the ex-mentally ill. In order to provide sufficient facilities both for day care and residential services for these groups, the Social Welfare Department, with the assistance of the City and New Territories Administration conducted a search for suitable sites in the New Territories, and the feasibility of these sites is now being explored.

A working party, consisting of representatives from the government, voluntary and commercial sectors has, since June 1981, been conducting a comprehensive review of policy on the provision of sheltered workshops for disabled persons. The working party's proposals are expected shortly and will include recommendations on the objectives and role of sheltered workshops and the type of work opportunities they should provide. In the meantime, three new sheltered workshops were opened in 1982.

Day care in work activity centres is now accepted as an essential service for mentally handicapped adults who cannot benefit from vocational training, open employment or sheltered work. Three centres were opened in 1982 bringing the total to 12, with an overall capacity of 648 places. The shortfall in this area is very large and the 1981 Rehabilitation Programme Plan recommended an annual expansion rate of 300 places from 1982 onwards.

Training

The Training Section of the Social Welfare Department is responsible for looking after the training needs of departmental staff and, as far as possible, the needs of staff working in voluntary agencies. Operating from the Lady Trench Training Centre, the section runs basic training courses in social work for untrained social work staff, refresher and staff development programmes for trained social work staff employed in the department and voluntary agencies, in-service training courses for social security workers, and in-service training courses for child care centre workers. A total of 57 courses, seminars and workshops were organised during the year.

The section also operates a demonstration nursery for three purposes: to provide day-care for 100 children aged two to six; to serve as a training ground for child-care centre workers undertaking in-service training organised by the section; and to provide a place for observation by people in related fields.

The department contributed to social work training through the provision of field work placement and supervision for social work students from the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic, the Hong Kong Baptist College and the Shue Yan College. A total of 194 students was placed in the department and supervised by the section's staff, while 91 students supervised by the training institutions' faculty staff were provided with field work places in the department during the year. Attachment training for two social workers from overseas was also arranged.

Being responsible for the co-ordination and planning of all welfare facilities, the department must keep up-to-date on new concepts and practices used in other countries. This is made possible by giving experienced officers in specialised areas periods of training or attachment overseas, or by participation in international courses and conferences. In 1982, a total of 11 officers from the department attended six conferences and courses organised by international bodies. The Director of Social Welfare participated as a United Kingdom delegate in the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing held in Vienna in July. To promote social work training, grants and scholarships are available from the Social Work Training Fund, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the government and private donations.