ENG-2000 — Page 232

CHAPTER 11

Social Welfare

188

THE Hong Kong society cares deeply about its members. Citizens expect the Government to help the disadvantaged maintain an acceptable level of well-being. In 2000, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) spent $29.5 billion in running its services.

The responsibility for carrying out government policies on social welfare rests with the Director of Social Welfare. It is based on the objectives set out in White Papers and policy objective booklets, the most recent ones entitled Welfare Services and Care for the Elders (2000).

The Government is advised on social welfare policy by the Social Welfare Advisory Committee, covering all areas of social welfare development, the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee on matters of rehabilitation, and the Elderly Commission on services for the elders. Members of the above committees/commission are appointed by the Chief Executive and their meetings are chaired by non-officials. The SWD maintains a close working partnership with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), most of which are subvented by the Government.

The Government is determined to build an active welfare system that empowers people to help themselves. The package of measures introduced since June 1999 to encourage and help unemployed Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients to find work has seen encouraging results. Starting from mid-2000, the SWD introduced another package of direct services to help able-bodied CSSA recipients and other socially disadvantaged groups overcome barriers to work and become self-reliant.

More services and resources were provided in 2000 to meet rising needs. There was an addition of 1 055 day nursery places. For young people, 156 additional school social workers were provided and 19 integrated teams established. Also, two pilot projects under the Understanding the Adolescent Project to help youth at risk have been completed.

For the elders, an additional 439 places in homes for the aged and 1 043 places in care-and-attention homes were provided; two independent social centres, two multi- service centres and three day-care centres were set up.

For people with disabilities, the SWD established an additional 300 places in sheltered workshops, 210 places in supported employment, 10 places in day activity centres, 90 places in halfway houses and 212 places in hostels for the mentally handicapped. There were also an addition of 20 integrated programme places and 30 special child care places with residential provision for pre-school disabled children.