New Developments in Child Care Services

The Society has long provided a wide range of child care services, including foster care, the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project (NSCCP), and After School Care Programme for primary students, offering residential and day care support to children in need.

Starting from September 2024, the NSCCP has become a regular assistance programme under the Social Welfare Department (SWD) of the Government. In December 2024, we officially established the “Po Lam CareNet Child Care Service Centre” to serve families in need in Sai Kung and Tseung Kwan O.

In addition to our existing foster care services, NSCCP, and After School Care Programme (ASCP), we were approved by the SWD in November 2024 to launch After School Care Programme for Pre-primary Children in Tseung Kwan O. This service targets families in Tseung Kwan O and Sai Kung who require long working hours, have unstable work schedules, or lack support networks, aiming to relieve the care burden on parents or carers. The "Tseung Kwan O After School Care Centre for Pre-primary Children" will officially commence service in June 2025.

Dedicate Recruitment of Foster Families and Child Carers, with the Establish of Systematic Training Programmes

Foster parents and child carers play a vital role in the care and protection of children. Our Society is committed to recruiting suitable families to become foster families and child carers, with the aim of benefitting more children and families in need. For the year 2024 - 2025, we promoted our services and recruited caring parents through various media interviews. In March 2025, we were invited by the SWD to represent the sector in an interview on the RTHK radio programme “Healthpedia”, promoting the NSCCP. This allowed the public to learn about the service and encouraged more enthusiastic individuals to join as child carers, thereby expanding the community care network. To attract more families to participate, other than increasing service incentives this year. SWD and other service organisations co-organised award ceremonies to recognise the care, dedication, and outstanding contributions of foster families and child carers.

To enhance the caring competencies of foster parents and child carers, we have systematised the training programme this year. Before providing services, foster families and child carers are required to complete 12 to 14 hours of basic training. For foster families, training covers administrative matters, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, communication and cooperation with birth families, children’s health / nutrition / common illnesses, home safety, and children’s developmental needs. Training for child carers includes physical and psychological development at different ages, developmental milestones and needs, caregiving and communication skills, home safety and hygiene, child protection measures, and handling accidents and special incidents. This ensures all potential foster parents and child carers are equipped with up-to-date knowledge and skills in child care.

Additionally, advanced training courses have been introduced to give foster parents and child carers a preliminary understanding of children with special educational needs, equipping them to care for children with diverse characteristics and needs.

Emphasise Holistic Wellbeing and Family Support, and Offering Diverse Activities to Foster Children’s Growth

The Society provides ASCP in Sai Kung and the Eastern District. In addition to academic support, we focus on nurturing students’ “self-directed” learning attitudes, aiming to reduce their learning stress and further minimise family conflicts arising from academic issues.

Children’s development extends beyond textbooks; we place great importance on their physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing, as well as family support. By identifying students in need, we provide timely and appropriate assistance, helping families tackle various challenges related to their children’s learning and daily life.

We organised a wide range of activities, including art workshops, English activities, volunteer services, and parent-child events. These initiatives boosted children’s confidence, strengthened family communication, and enabled children to learn and grow in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.

Expand District-based Social Work Service for Pre-primary Institutions

In 2023, the SWD launched the district-based Social Work Service for Pre-primary Institutions, and our Tuen Mun (East) Service Centre was officially established. By 2024, the SWD had fully implemented district-based services, with a total of 50 social work teams across Hong Kong. Our Society has been awarded to provide services in Kwai Tsing and Kwun Tong districts, with service teams officially established in August 2024, offering on-site kindergarten social work services to pre-primary institutions in their respective districts. The teams launched with a mission to protect children through early identification and intervention, and a collaborative approach at the district level. This year, our Society has provided services to a total of 42 pre-primary institutions in Tuen Mun, Kwai Tsing, and Kwun Tong districts.