ENG-1994 — Page 240

SOCIAL WELFARE

recurrent cost of implementing the working group's recommendations will increase from $37 million in 1995-96 to $108 million in 1999–2000. An Elderly Services Division will be established in the Health and Welfare Branch to act as a central co-ordinating unit for the development of services for the elderly. Among other measures, an additional 400 health workers will be trained for private homes for the elderly.

In April, to facilitate easy access to concessionary fares and discounts, the Social Welfare Department began issuing senior citizen cards, which serve as a generally recognised proof of age, to elderly persons aged 65 and over. So far, 350 000 cards have been issued and about 290 organisations have joined the scheme.

Services for Young People

To help and encourage young people to become mature, responsible and contributing members of society, services are designed for young people aged from six to 24 to foster the development of their personality, character, social aptitude and sense of civic respon- sibility. They are also helped to overcome developmental crises and to equip themselves with the skills to cope with the demands made on them and the problems they face.

At the district level, apart from providing group activities in community centres, the department promotes and co-ordinates youth programmes and volunteer groups through its youth offices. Since 1974, the department has been running the Opportunities for Youth Scheme. Every year, young people are given funds to implement a variety of community service projects designed to meet specific social needs. Awards are given to the outstanding projects.

Children and youth centres operated by subvented non-governmental organisations also organise a variety of programmes and activities for the personal and social development of young people. There were 211 children centres and 214 youth centres at the year's end. Since the youth population is declining and their needs are changing, there is a need for children and youth centres to move with the times. Following a review of the centres by a working party appointed by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, a new integrated service delivery model was implemented in April. Under this model, children and youth centres, outreaching social work, school social work and, where possible, family life education are provided by a team of social workers under one management structure. Initially, 10 teams will be set up over two years. Five such teams were set up in 1994. The service will be evaluated in 1996.

The outreaching social work service caters for the needs of young people who do not normally participate in conventional social or youth activities and who are vulnerable to undesirable influences. Outreaching social workers establish contact with these young people in the places they usually frequent to help them to overcome their problems and become socially reintegrated by giving them counselling and guidance. During the year, two additional outreaching social work teams were established, meeting the White Paper target of 30 outreaching social teams to serve the whole territory. A review is being conducted to study the demand for, and effectiveness of, this service. It will be completed in 1995.

All secondary schools are provided with school social workers. The school social work service aims to identify and help students whose academic, social and emotional development is at risk. An additional 59 school social workers were provided in 1994, of

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