ENG-1997 — Page 237

SOCIAL WELFARE

Integrated teams based on a new service model began operating in October 1994. They provide children and youth centre service, outreaching social work service, school social work service and, where possible, family life education under one management structure. Nineteen teams operated at the end of 1997.

Uniformed organisations offer young people opportunities to join organised activities with progressive training programmes for the development of character and leadership and to help them become responsible members of the community. This year, 92 000 young people benefited from this service, provided by eight NGOs. The Hong Kong Award for Young People Scheme has attracted 42 400 members through its 18 operating authorities.

The Opportunities for Youth Scheme offers funding support to youth groups to plan and implement community service projects. In 1997, 9 500 young people took part in 149 projects which benefited 60 000 service customers.

Rehabilitation of People with a Disability

The rehabilitation services aim to integrate people with a disability into the community. Hong Kong has about 370 000 individuals with a disability. Services provided by government departments and non-governmental organisations help such people to fully develop their physical, mental and social capabilities. These services are co-ordinated by the Commissioner for Rehabilitation, who also conducts regular reviews of the Rehabilitation Programme Plan which projects the requirements for and identifies shortfalls and overprovision in rehabilitation services in the following five years.

Services for pre-school disabled children

At the end of the year, the department and NGOs altogether provided 1 174 integrated programme places, 1 149 special child care places (including 78 residential. places), 1435 early education and training centre places for pre-school disabled children and 96 small group home places for school-aged disabled children. An enhanced training programme with inputs from clinical psychologists was also provided to autistic children in special child care centres.

Services for adults with a disability

For adults with a disability, there were 3 426 day activity centre places providing day care, daily living skills and work training. Furthermore, 6 215 sheltered workshop places provided employment for those unable to compete in the open job market. In January 1997, the Marketing Consultancy Office was set up to enhance productivity of sheltered workshops with the expertise of marketing personnel. There were 1 010 places in various supported employment schemes providing job opportunities for those who could manage in open work settings with support. In residential services, there were 4 383 hostel places, 17 supported housing places and 154 supported hostel places for those who could neither live independently nor be adequately cared for by their families, or who lived in areas too remote from their places of training or employment. For aged blind people unable to look after themselves adequately, or who were in need of care and attention, 1 125 places were provided in homes and care-and-attention homes. For the residence and training of chronic and discharged mental patients, there were 570 long-stay care home places, 1 177 halfway house places and 180 activity centre places.

177