Major Achievements

2.1

In 2011-12 and 2012-13, SWD launched various new initiatives or enhanced existing welfare services under different programme areas to help needy individuals and families in the community.

2.2 SOCIAL SECURITY

Integrated the various employment assistance programmes under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme and commissioned NGOs to assist in implementing the Integrated Employment Assistance Programme for Self-reliance for the purpose of providing able-bodied CSSA recipients with one-stop, integrated employment assistance services on a family basis.
Enhanced the support for elderly persons and persons with disabilities or in ill-health under the CSSA Scheme by raising the standard rates of adult CSSA recipients aged below 60 with disabilities or in ill-health and extension of the coverage of Community Living Supplement together with upward adjustment of the monthly allowance.
Introduced Residential Care Supplement under the CSSA Scheme to provide a special allowance to recipients aged 60 or above and recipients with disabilities or in ill health of any age, who are receiving non-subsidised residential care.
Provided additional one-off assistance to CSSA recipients and recipients of Disability Allowance and Old Age Allowance.

2.3 FAMILY AND CHILD WELFARE

Commenced the work of the standing Review Panel in June 2011 following the successful experience of the Pilot Project on Child Fatality Review and completed the review of child death cases that occurred in 2008 and 2009.
Enhanced the service of the five Short-term Food Assistance Service Projects by adding the provision of food and hot meal coupons.
Regularised and extended the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project to all 18 districts.
Set up four new Integrated Family Service Centres (IFSCs) including three operated by NGOs and one operated by SWD.

2.4 ELDERLY

Launched the Improvement Programme of Elderly Centres to enhance the physical setting and facilities of elderly centres across the territory.
Continued to implement a pilot scheme on home care services for the frail elders who were on the waiting list for nursing home places to provide them with new package of intensive and tailor-made home care services.
Continued to implement a pilot scheme to provide residential care homes for the elderly with subsidised visiting pharmacist services to enhance the knowledge and capability of staff in drug management.
Continued to implement the District-based Scheme on Carer Training.
Continued to implement the Home Environment Improvement Scheme for the Elderly to assist the elders who are in lack of financial means and family support to improve their dilapidated homes.
Provided additional residential care places.
Increased subsidised community care places.
Provided or increased supplements for subsidised residential care homes and day care centres for the elderly to render more targeted services to the frail and demented elders.
Continued to implement the Enrolled Nurse Training Programme for the Welfare Sector.

2.5 REHABILITATION AND MEDICAL SOCIAL SERVICES

Implemented a pilot scheme on Home Care Service for Persons with Severe Disabilities in Tuen Mun, Kwun Tong, Wong Tai Sin and Kwai Tsing districts.
Regularised the service of the Transitional Care and Support Centre for Tetraplegic Patients.
Implemented the financial incentive scheme for workplace mentors of employees with disabilities to facilitate them to adapt to work smoothly.
Injected $100 million into the “Enhancing Employment of People with Disabilities through Small Enterprise” Project and extended the maximum funding period for individual business from two years to three years.
Implemented the pilot Bought Place Scheme for Private Residential Care Homes for Persons with Disabilities.
Implemented a statutory licensing scheme upon commencement of the Residential Care Homes (Persons with Disabilities) Ordinance, to ensure the services of residential care homes for persons with disabilities meet the statutory standards.
Strengthened the manpower of Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness (ICCMW) to serve more persons in need of community mental health support services.
Increased subvented residential care places, provided additional places for day training and vocational rehabilitation services to increase employability of persons with disabilities, provided additional places for pre-school rehabilitation service for children with disabilities, including autistic children.
Strengthened the manpower of the medical social services to dovetail with the service enhancements of the Hospital Authority.

2.6 YOUTH AND CORRECTIONS

Set up three new Youth Outreaching Teams, one each in Tseung Kwan O, Ma On Shan and Tung Chung, to reach out to youths at-risk and provide timely counselling, support and guidance to them.
Enhanced school social work service in secondary schools with a 20% increase in manpower to focus on anti-drug work and strengthen related counselling service.
Launched three 3-year Pilot Cyber Youth Outreaching Projects and one Evaluative Study to youths in need, particularly those identified as at-risk or hidden, through the internet for timely support services to them.
Reviewed community-based services for offenders and implemented the integrated model to provide one-stop probation and community service orders services.