ENG-2004 — Page 262

216 Social Welfare

professional views on sentencing options for offenders aged 14 to 24. The Post- Release Supervision of Prisoners Scheme, another joint service of the SWD and CSD, assists discharged prisoners in their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community. During the year, 423 ex-prisoners were placed under supervision. One NGO is subvented to provide hostel and supportive services for ex-offenders.

Services for Young People

The overall objective of welfare services for young people is to help those aged between six and 24 years to develop into mature, responsible and contributing members of society through a range of preventive, supportive and remedial services.

At year-end, 131 Integrated Children and Youth Services Centres (ICYSCs) were providing children and youth centre services, outreach social work services, school social work services and, where possible, family life education under one management to address the changing needs of youth in an integrated and holistic manner. At the same time, 18 ICYSCs with additional resources provided overnight outreach services to address the needs of young night drifters. During the year, joint funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the Lotteries Fund was approved for 34 ICYSCS throughout the territory to undergo the second phase of the modernisation programme. Through improving the physical environment and providing modern furniture and equipment, these centres have been made more appealing to contemporary youth.

At year-end, 484 secondary schools were each provided with one school social worker unit to identify and help students with academic, social and emotional problems maximise their educational opportunities, develop their potential and prepare for responsible adulthood. Sixteen District Youth Outreaching Social Work Teams addressed the needs of high-risk youth and dealt with juvenile gang issues.

For early identification of the developmental needs of students and, where necessary, timely intervention

intervention with a primary preventive programme, the Understanding the Adolescent Project was implemented in 292 secondary schools in the 2004-05 school year.

The Community Support Services Scheme (CSSS) assists young people who have broken the law or are at risk. By year-end, six CSSS teams, one operated by the department and five by NGOs, had provided services to the targeted clientele.

With a view to enhancing support for young offenders, the department and the Police Force were reviewing the mechanism of 'Family Conference' for juveniles cautioned under the Police Superintendent's Discretion Scheme introduced in October 2003.

With the aim of helping young drug abusers abstain from drug-taking habits and reintegrate into the community, a multi-modal approach has been adopted to provide drug treatment and rehabilitation services. At year-end, the department was subventing 15 voluntary drug treatment and rehabilitation centres/halfway houses, five counselling centres for psychotropic substance abusers and two social clubs for ex-drug abusers. Under the requirements of the Drug Dependent Persons Treatment and