ENG-1997 — Page 235

SOCIAL WELFARE

A wide range of child welfare services is provided. An adoption service arranges permanent homes for children in need. The Child Protective Service provides early intervention and intensive casework service for the protection of children whose safety is endangered by the action or neglect of their parents, care-givers, causing physical or psychological harm, gross neglect and sexual exploitation of the children. Residential child care services are provided for children and young people who need care or protection because of family crises or their behavioural or emotional problems. At the end of 1997, there were 600 foster care places, 904 places in small group homes and 1 473 places in children's homes, boys' and girls' homes and hostels. Child care centres provide day-care facilities for children under the age of six. All child care centres were registered under the Child Care Centres Ordinance and Regulations. The Fee Assistance Scheme helps low-income families in financial need to pay child care centre fees. New legislative provisions to regulate childminders and mutual help child care groups in order to strengthen protection of young children and to facilitate occasional child care arrangements were implemented in September 1997.

Medical Social Services

Medical social workers in hospitals and clinics render counselling and assistance to patients and their families with social and emotional problems/needs arising from their illnesses or disability.

Care for the Elderly

The government's policy is that elderly people should be able to grow old in the community for as long as possible. The family remains the primary provider in meeting the needs of the elderly. Elderly people should be provided with a sense of security, a sense of belonging and a sense of worth. To achieve this, the government provides a wide range of community services to help the elderly remain at home.

At the end of the year, there were 203 independent social centres, 28 multi-service centres, 27 day care centres, 17 respite care places, two volunteer worker programmes, eight older volunteer programmes, two outreaching teams, one holiday centre, one pool bus service and a structured networking system for the elderly in need. The Senior Citizen Card Scheme, which aims to inculcate respect and concern in the community for our elderly citizens, was launched in April 1994. About 510 000 senior citizen cards have been issued. Financial and housing assistance continue to be provided for those in need. At the same time, residential care services are provided for those elderly people who, due to health reasons or family circumstances, can no longer be cared for at home. At the end of 1997, there were 965 hostel places, 6 682 home for the aged places and 8 837 care-and-attention places.

The Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Ordinance came into full operation on June 1, 1996. It provides for the control of these homes through licences or certificates of exemption administered and enforced by the Licensing Office of Residential Care Homes for the Elderly.

Services for Young People

The overall objective of services for young people is to help those aged between six and 24 to develop themselves into mature, responsible and contributing members of society.

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