New Provisions of Facilities and Initiatives

Highlights of the Year 2023-24

New Provisions of Facilities and Initiatives

Increasing Rehabilitation Service Places
In 2023-24, SWD increased the number of rehabilitation service places by 1 844, including 112 places for pre-school rehabilitation services, 571 places for day rehabilitation services and 1 161 places for residential rehabilitation services. The Siu Lam Integrated Rehabilitation Services Complex, which is the largest complex in the territory, has commenced service progressively since the end of 2023.

Regularisation of Tier 1 Support Services
The Tier 1 Support Services were regularised in September 2023, and integrated with On-site Pre-school Rehabilitation Services to extend the coverage to nearly 900 pre-primary institutions.

Enhancing Support Services for Persons with Disabilities

A three-year Pilot Project on One-stop Services for Ageing Service Users of Hostel for Severely Mentally Handicapped Persons (HSMH) and Hostel for Moderately Mentally Handicapped Persons (HMMH) was implemented to provide one-stop day training and residential care services for ageing service users in HSMHs and HMMHs.
A two-year Pilot Project on Enhancing Vocational Rehabilitation Services was implemented to enhance the services and training models of Sheltered Workshops and Integrated Vocational Rehabilitation Services Centres, building a better vocational rehabilitation and training ladder for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Pilot Scheme on Training for Foreign Domestic Helpers (FDHs) in Care for Persons with Disabilities
Starting from October 2023, a three-year Pilot Scheme on Training for FDHs in Care for PWDs was implemented, with a view to enhancing the caregiving skills and knowledge of FDHs in looking after PWDs through training provided by 21 District Support Centres for Persons with Disabilities across the territory.

Designated Hotline for Carer Support 182 183
The 24-hour Carer Hotline 182 183 was launched on 26 September 2023. Calls are received by professional social workers who provide instant consultation, counselling, case referrals and emergency support, etc. The hotline social workers will also help connect carers with respite services and provide transport subsidies for service users travelling to respite service units.

Financial Assistance for Persons with Disabilities and Their Carers
Since October 2023, various financial assistance schemes for PWDs have been regularised, including (i) the “Scheme on Living Allowance for Low-income Carers of PWDs” (the Allowance Scheme), which provides carers of PWDs from low-income families with a living allowance (increased from $2,400 to $3,000 per month) to help supplement their living expenses; (ii) the “Special Care Subsidy Scheme for Persons with Severe Disabilities”, which provides persons with severe disabilities living in the community and not receiving the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance with a special care subsidy (increased from $1,250 to $2,500 per month) to assist them in purchasing care goods and services, or for other purposes related to nursing care; and (iii) the “Scheme on Providing Subsidy for Higher Disability Allowance (HDA) Recipients in Paid Employment to Hire Carers”, which provides HDA recipients in paid employment with a subsidy of $5,000 per month for hiring carers, with a view to encouraging them to sustain employment.

District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams) – Pilot Scheme on Supporting Elderly and Carers
In March 2024, a pilot scheme was launched in Tsuen Wan and the Southern District by engaging the Care Teams to reach out to and identify singleton and doubleton elderly households, and carers of elderly persons and PWDs. The Care Teams will then refer needy cases to relevant social welfare service units for follow-up, and assist eligible elderly persons and PWDs in installing emergency alarm systems.