ENG-2006 — Page 241

Social Welfare ❘ 197

Services for Families

The SWD adopts a three-pronged approach to providing services to families in need or in trouble.

At the primary level, problems can be prevented by early detection, education, publicity, and empowerment. During the year, the department allocated resources for running a publicity campaign, called 'Strengthening Families and Combating Violence' at both central and district levels. The department also set up a telephone hotline for people to obtain information, counselling and other help.

At the secondary level, a range of support services, from developmental programmes to intensive counselling, was provided in 2006 by 61 Integrated Family Service Centres across Hong Kong and two NGO-run Integrated Services Centres serving specific areas in Tung Chung and other parts of Lantau Island.

At the tertiary level, specialised services and crisis intervention are provided if domestic violence or family crisis is involved.

Services for Children

The SWD provides a wide range of child welfare services. These include services for children and young people who need care or protection because of family crises. or their behavioural or emotional problems. Twenty-four additional places were created in children residential services for these children in 2006, bringing the number of such places to 3 424 of which 950 are in the foster homes, 879 in small group homes, 207 in child care centres and 1 388 in young boys' and girls' homes and hostels.

The SWD also arranges adoptions for children abandoned by their parents or whose parents are unable to support them. The Adoption (Amendment) Ordinance 2004, together with the related subsidiary legislation, took effect on January 25, 2006. The International Social Service Hong Kong Branch and Mother's Choice Limited were recognised as authorised agencies for making arrangements for adoption of Hong Kong children by adoptive parents overseas.

At year's end, there were 13 aided stand-alone child care centres with room for 686 children. Child care centres and kindergarten-cum-child care centres continued to provide full day care services and further support for families through the provision of 499 occasional child care places and 1 244 extended-hour places.

Social Security

The Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme and the Social Security Allowance (SSA) Scheme form the mainstay of Hong Kong's social security system. They are supplemented by three accident compensation schemes, namely, the Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Scheme, the Traffic Accident Victims Assistance Scheme and Emergency Relief. There are 37 Social Security Field Units and two centralised offices administering these schemes across Hong Kong.