Introduction of Emergency / Short Term Small Group Home

Objective

• To provide urgent and short-term out-of-home care for children who cannot be adequately cared for by their families due to various family problems or crises such as sudden illness, hospitalisation, desertion, or death of parents, etc.
• To render home life and residential care for children under the care and attention of a married couple working as houseparents.
• To promote healthy development of the children and enhance family life and parental affection through case work service until the children can be restored back to their birth parents, or when a long term welfare plan has been formulated.

Capacity

5

Target Group

• Age limit: 4 to 18.
• Children whose families are facing emergency or crisis situation and cannot provide them with adequate care.  This may include children with mild behavioural or emotional problems, or children who experience minor health problems.
• Children who have been medically examined and assessed to be fit for small group living.

Service Content

• To adopt a family model in providing residential care to children in need.
• Referring workers to be responsible for arranging schooling for the children if situation so allowed.
• Staff to pay attention to children’s performance at school and supervise their study at home in order to help them deal with study problem.
• Varied recreational programmes to be provided to facilitate the children in making good use of their leisure.
• Social work services such as casework and group work to be conducted to enhance children’s personal growth, and enrich family life until the children can be restored back to their birth parents, or when a long term welfare plan is formulated.
• At least 3 meals a day with sufficient and varied food to ensure well-balanced diet.
• To escort children to nearby government clinics, private practitioners or A & E units of government hospital for medical consultation when needed.

Duration of Placement 

• Temporary placement normally lasting for a period of not more than 6 weeks. 

Charges 

Application of Service 

Applications are referred by the SWD and social service units of non-government organisations.

Termination of Service

• Can be initiated by small group home or service users.
• There should be prior discussions between both parties and together with referring worker on welfare plan.  All parties are required to complete necessary formalities for formal discharge.

Name of small group homes providing the services and sex requirement