ENG-1993 — Page 221

SOCIAL WELFARE

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To equip its staff with up-to-date, specialist skills in the various fields of professional practice, the department sponsors experienced members of staff to attend advanced local and overseas training courses and international conferences. During the year, 82 staff attended 38 such courses and conferences.

The Social Work Training Fund continues to provide financial assistance for individuals to pursue social work training in Hong Kong or overseas. In 1993, a total of 94 applicants were awarded either full or partial grants. It also provides funding support for other purposes, such as enlisting the services of overseas experts to provide training and consultation, and the printing of resource training materials for social workers.

The Advisory Committee on Social Work Training and Manpower Planning advises the government, through the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, on all matters relating to the education and training of social workers, including the planning of manpower to meet welfare service needs.

Research and Statistics

The department conducts surveys and maintains data systems for the monitoring and development of social welfare services. Eight surveys were carried out during the year. In conjunction with the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, the department runs the Social Welfare Manpower Planning System which collates information on individual social work personnel and on the demand for, and supply of, trained social workers for facilitating - overall manpower planning in the welfare sector. The department also maintains 10 other data systems: the Integrated Law and Order Statistical System on offenders under the charge of the department; the Child Protection Registry; the Street Sleepers Registry; the Planned Welfare Projects Registry; the Director of Social Welfare Wards of High Court Registry; and five central referral systems for co-ordinating the referral of clients to various welfare institutions.

Subvention and Evaluation

Financial assistance is given to 164 non-governmental organisations for the provision of social welfare services in accordance with government policies. Financial assistance for capital and recurrent expenditure is also provided through the Lotteries Fund.

The Evaluation Unit of the department is responsible for monitoring and assessing services provided by the subvented non-governmental organisations. For this purpose, departmental staff make regular visits to the agencies which are in turn required to submit service statistics at specified intervals. Where appropriate, findings are submitted to the Subventions and Lotteries Fund Advisory Committee, which advises on the allocation of subventions and lotteries grants to agencies providing social welfare and rehabilitation services. During the year, the department conducted five in-depth evaluations of experi- mental projects and services operated by non-governmental organisations.

Community Building

A number of government departments and voluntary organisations contribute towards the community-building programme.

This programme, co-ordinated by the Community Building Policy Committee, serves to foster among the people of Hong Kong a sense of belonging, mutual care and civic responsibility as society undergoes rapid socio-economic changes.