ENG-1998 — Page 246

SOCIAL WELFARE

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service, and a community rehabilitation network service for persons with visceral disability or chronic illness were also provided.

Staff Training and Development

The department's Training Section at the Lady Trench Training Centre organises about 500 in-service training programmes for 18 000 social welfare personnel working in the department and in non-governmental sectors. Special emphasis was put on competency-based training and the enhancement of management training for both senior and junior management in 1998.

Research and Statistics

The department conducts surveys and research studies, develops and maintains data systems and undertakes statistical compilation and estimation for the monitoring, planning, development and review of social welfare services. The data systems provide management information over a wide range of areas including planned welfare projects, social welfare manpower and customers awaiting and receiving various social welfare services.

Subvention and Evaluation

Recurrent subvention and capital grants were given to 182 non-governmental organisations for the provision of social welfare services in accordance with government polices. Funding allocation was administered by the department on the advice of the Subventions and Lotteries Fund Advisory Committee.

Based on the statistics supplied by service units on a quarterly basis and reports from district staff who visited the units regularly, the department's Subvented Section monitored the effectiveness of services delivered by subvented non-governmental organisations.

In March 1995, the government commissioned consultants to review the existing subvention system. The major outcome of the review was the establishment of a Service Performance Monitoring System based on 19 Service Quality Standards (SQSs) and various Funding and Service Agreements. To prepare for the phased implementation of the system from early 1999, the major tasks performed in 1998 included the development of SQS implementation handbooks, performance assessment methodology, Funding and Service Agreements for over 30 services and examination of ways to improve the existing subvention system. A pilot exercise on the assessment methodology was also carried out in the second half of 1998 to ensure that the new system could be successfully implemented.

Information Technology

The SWD completed an Information Systems Strategy Study (ISSS) and a feasibility study on a Computerised Social Security System (CSSS) in 1997 to explore the potential of the use of information technology in the department. The ISSS identified seven potential application systems, which are to be implemented by phases. In the first phase, the department will proceed with two feasibility studies on a Client Information System and Technical Infrastructure and the development and implementation of CSSS during 1998/99.