ENG-2011 — Page 257

Social Welfare | 217

Support Service to Youth Employment

In 2011, subvented welfare NGOs continued to make use of the 3 000 time- limited temporary job opportunities allocated to them to assist young people in joining the labour market for open employment.

Child Development Fund

In 2008, the Government set up the $300 million Child Development Fund (CDF) to provide children from a disadvantaged background with more personal development opportunities, so as to reduce inter-generational poverty. CDF projects help participants draw up and implement their own development plans as well as develop an asset-building habit, thus preparing them for long-term development. So far, three batches of 40 projects have been rolled out, benefiting more than 4 400 children aged between 10 and 16.

The Government has commissioned a consultant to evaluate the pioneer projects and make recommendations on how to develop the CDF further into a longer-term model to promote child development in Hong Kong.

Clinical Psychological Services

Within the SWD and NGOs, a total of 73 clinical psychologists provide a range of services to welfare units handling family casework, rehabilitation and correctional matters. The services include psychological assessment and treatment for adults and children with psychological or psychiatric disorders and mental disabilities, consultation for allied professionals, staff training and public education. During the year, 3 782 clients were treated, and 3 061 psychological assessments and 18 087 treatment sessions were conducted.

Voluntary Work

The Steering Committee on Promotion of Volunteer Service has adopted the theme, 'Volunteering New Attitude to Life' to promote Level 3 Volunteering in full swing, and encourages volunteers to integrate the core values and spirit of voluntary work into their daily living. Apart from a series of promotional activities, a brand new TV announcement in public interest (API) on the new theme was also launched. By year-end, more than 2 230 organisations and 980 000 individuals had registered for voluntary service.

Subventions and Service Monitoring

Recurrent subventions and capital grants were given to 171 NGOs to provide social welfare services in accordance with government policies. Capital grants from the Lotteries Fund were allocated to NGOs on the advice of the Lotteries Fund Advisory Committee. The Service Performance Monitoring System keeps track of the output, outcome and service quality of subvented units, according to 16 well- defined service quality standards and specific funding and service agreements, through regular self-assessment reports submitted by NGOs and review/surprise visits conducted by the SWD.