Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ1: Integrated Family Service Centres
Following is a question by the Dr Hon Fernando Cheung and a reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (May 3):
Question:
The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau indicated last year that the Government
intended to review the effectiveness of the operation of Integrated Family
Service Centres (IFSCs) one year after the completion of the re-engineering of
IFSCs. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the exact time for conducting the above review, the criteria for deciding
the institute to be appointed for conducting the review, the details of the
review, and whether it will discuss with the organisations operating IFSCs the
timetable for the review;
(b) whether the above review will include an assessment on whether the specific
services (such as Single Parent Centres and Post-migration Centres) closed
during the re-engineering exercise can be completely replaced by services
provided by IFSCs; and
(c) how it will review the various pressures faced by front-line staff in IFSCs,
such as overtime work and manpower wastage?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) Following a review of family welfare services in 2000-01 and the evaluation
of the pilot projects of Integrated Family Service Centres (IFSCs) from 2002 to
2004, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) has re-engineered family services to
form a total of 61 IFSCs run by the SWD and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) by phases. The re-engineering exercise was completed in March 2005. We
undertook to review the operation model of the IFSCs after the re-engineering of
family services.
The SWD has started consulting the welfare sector on the review. All the NGOs
operating the IFSCs, however, had unanimously reflected to us that this was not
the appropriate time to conduct a review. They considered that the
implementation of the IFSC model had yet to mature, and more time and room is
required to practise and consolidate this new model. They took the view that we
should not rush to a review. Having considered the views of the welfare sector
carefully, the SWD will first collate various service statistics and look into
the success factors and barriers, etc., of the new model to fully prepare for
the review. Separately, the SWD will continue to work with the welfare sector
closely to share views and experience on service delivery. We aim to complete
the review in 2007-08.
(b) The results of the previous review of family welfare services and the
positive findings in the pilot projects of the IFSCs show that the current
policy to offer integrated family service via the platform of the IFSCs could
provide more comprehensive and accessible services to families in need.
As compared with the five time-limited Single Parent Centres (SPCs) located in
five districts and four time-limited Post Migration Centres (PMCs) in four
districts serving a much larger geographical area, the 61 IFSCs which are set up
in locations across the territory are more accessible. The IFSCs offer
additional services previously not available at the SPCs and PMCs, including
intensive counselling, assessment for compassionate rehousing, arrangement for
clinical psychological services, etc. Moreover, the IFSCs provide a continuum of
preventive, supportive and remedial services, rendering one-stop service that
better meets the varied needs of single parent and new arrival families. IFSCs
workers with experience and skills in serving single parent and new arrival
families can also provide appropriate services for these target groups.
As at the end of December 2005, the 61 IFSCs across the territory were handling
over 6 000 active cases involving single parent or new arrival families,
representing about 15 percent of the total caseload. The IFSCs also organise
support groups which are designed specifically to provide appropriate assistance
for single parent or new arrival families. In accordance with the prevailing
policy regarding the provision of integrated services, we have no plan to reopen
the SPCs and PMCs. Regardless of the mode of service delivery, the most
important thing is to meet the needs of the service targets.
(c) The pressure on the welfare sector has been on the rise in view of the
increasing complexity of social problems and rising expectation on social
workers. In response to the changing social environment and service needs, we
need to enhance service and work effectiveness. Besides the manpower issue, we
will also strengthen staff training to meet service requirements.
To respond to the different needs, the SWD has allocated additional manpower and
other resources in 2005-06 to facilitate the collaboration between the IFSCs and
the community, establish more support groups, enhance preventive and supportive
services and meet the additional expenses arising from the expansion of the
IFSCs. The IFSCs will also collaborate with other service units, including the
Family and Child Protective Services Units (FCPSUs) and Integrated Children and
Youth Service Centres, in tackling family problems. We will also build up and
mobilise social capital to assist the needy families. Starting from 2006-07, we
will allocate an additional $30 million to increase manpower to launch a Family
Support Programme (FSP) in the IFSCs, the FCPSUs and the Psychiatric Medical
Social Services Units. Under the FSP, the service units concerned will
strengthen their connection with vulnerable families that are unwilling to seek
help. Volunteers including those who have gone through similar problems or
crisis and used similar services before will be recruited and trained to contact
these families to form a network of community care and assistance.
The top priority for us and the welfare sector at present is to implement and
develop the IFSC model to maturity and effectiveness. We should also develop the
leadership of the management of the IFSCs in steering the delivery of service to
families and individuals in need. At the district level, the NGOs need to work
closely to complement each other's strengths, reduce service overlap, and use
resources effectively so as to assist needy families in meeting the challenges
brought about by changes in the society.
Thank you, Madam President.
Ends/Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:10
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