ENG-1996 — Page 236

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SOCIAL WELFARE

During the year, 5 760 applications were approved, with payments amounting to $125.5 million, compared with $110.4 million in 1995.

Emergency relief, in the form of hot meals, dry rations and other essential relief articles, is provided to victims of natural or other disasters. Cash grants from the Emergency Relief Fund are paid to these victims or their dependants to relieve hardship caused by disasters. Following a review of the Emergency Relief Fund, a package of improvements to its payment schedule was implemented in June. These include real increases in payment rates of some of its grants and a new grant to victims who suffer damage to their home appliances, furniture and other personal belongings due to natural disasters. Emergency relief was given to 1 364 victims on 56 occasions during the year.

The rates of grants payable under the Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Scheme, the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme and the Emergency Relief Fund were increased in April to cover the rise in living costs.

Social Security Appeal Board

The Social Security Appeal Board is an independent body made up of non-official members appointed by the Governor. It heard 110 appeals in the year. Of these, 35 related to CSSA, 74 to SSA and one to traffic accident victims assistance.

Services for Offenders

The Social Welfare Department implements court orders to rehabilitate offenders through social work approaches, with the aim of reintegrating the offenders into the community. Probation service is available to offenders aged seven and above. Probation officers make recommendations to courts as to the offenders' suitability for probation supervision and assessment on prisoners under consideration for early release. They also supervise offenders' compliance to court orders.

The Community Service Orders Scheme is a community-based initiative with punitive and rehabilitative objectives. A Community Service Order requires an offender over the age of 14 and convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment to perform unpaid work of benefit to the community and to receive guidance from a probation officer..

The Community Support Service Scheme runs community service projects, job training and counselling groups for young offenders, in order to enhance their interest in school or work and to develop their social skills.

A new probation home for girls began operation in March 1996, taking the total number of residential homes to eight. The homes, with a total capacity of 602 places, provide educational, pre-vocational and character training to juvenile offenders and youth at risk.

The Young Offender Assessment Panel, run jointly by the Social Welfare Department and the Correctional Services Department, provides magistrates with a co-ordinated view on the most appropriate treatment for convicted young offenders aged 14 to 25.

The Post-Release Supervision of Prisoners Scheme, jointly operated by Correctional Services Department and Social Welfare Department, began operation