April 11, 2024
According to statistics based on recipients of support services from the Social Welfare Department, there were currently about 19,000 preschool children with special educational needs (SEN) under the age of 6. Although the government had strengthened support assistance in recent years, SEN children and their parents still struggled to receive support. The DAB interviewed SEN preschool children and their parents by interviewing SEN parents and cooperating with professional groups. The DAB proposed policy initiatives to "support preschool children with special educational needs". The DAB would like to express our special thanks to "Heep Hong Society".
According to government data, only about 61% of new cases in 2022 would have assessment completed within 6 months, lower than 73% in 2021, and this was far below the department’s target of 90% of cases. Stanley Li believed that the waiting queue was so long, which might delay the opportunity for children to be identified and assisted.
The DAB put forward 5 recommendations:
1. Establish an "Assessment Voucher" to subsidize queuing applicants to be referred to private or social welfare organizations for assessment
2. Subsidize the purchase of training services
3. Optimize training subsidies
4. Set up more subsidized parent/relative resource center
5. Establish an "Assessment Center" waiting list pledge
News enquiries:
LegCo member Stanley Li 9797 7393
LegCo member Frankie Ngan 6600 2511
LegCo member Nixie Lam 6344 0879