Every sector in the community has to help tackle the fiscal deficit, Assistant Director of Social Welfare Fung Pak-yan says, adding the welfare sector should redeploy resources and reorganise services instead of reducing services when facing the 1% spending cut.

Speaking on a radio talkshow today, Mr Fung said the department has planned to slightly adjust the spending on social welfare downward by 1%. As there are other resources, such as the Community Investment & Inclusion Fund, available and the sector can redeploy limited resources, Mr Fung hoped the revision would not have great impact on society.

In the meantime, the department itself is also restructuring its family services to put resources to the best use. The service reorganisation will be completed in a year.

On family services in Tin Shui Wai, Mr Fung said the department has adopted a three-pronged approach - education, support and remedial services - to prevent the occurrence of family tragedies.

To upgrade family services, the sixth Family & Child Protective Services Unit will be in place next April while more resources will be allocated to Tin Shui Wai and Tseung Kwan O where the problem of domestic violence is more serious, he added.

District-based welfare strategies to meet specific needs

Yuen Long District Social Welfare Officer Loretta Chau said annual meetings will be held to devise district-based social welfare strategies with non-governmental organisations, government departments, district representatives and the public.

She noted three comprehensive family service centres have been set up in Tin Shui Wai offering a range of resources.

As residents in the district are not well aware of the services and support available, the department has been providing outreach services with NGOs to better understand residents' needs and problems through home visits, Mrs Chau added.