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EDB announces arrangement for implementation of "one school social worker for each school" policy in primary schools
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     The Education Bureau (EDB) issued a circular memorandum today (April 27) to all government and aided primary schools, and special schools, to announce the detailed arrangement for the implementation of the "one school social worker for each school" policy in primary schools.

     An EDB spokesman said, "The Government has all along been improving the student guidance service in primary schools. Starting from the 2018/19 school year, the Government will provide extra resources to public sector primary schools and special schools through a new funding mode to enable them to progressively implement the 'one school social worker for each school' policy according to their school-based circumstances."

     Under the new funding mode, public sector primary schools may create a graduate social worker post, or receive an equivalent amount of subsidy to employ a school-based registered graduate social worker on their own or hire the service of a school-based registered graduate social worker from a social work service provider. Schools will also be provided with a Consultation Service Grant for hiring consultation, supervision and other related support services for school social workers. The existing Top-up Student Guidance Service Grant will also be enhanced so that schools can receive more resources under the enhanced funding mode with a view to strengthening school social work and guidance services.

     The spokesman said that currently some public sector primary schools receiving the Student Guidance Service Grant may have already entered into a contract with duration of over one year with their student guidance personnel or social work service providers. Therefore, the EDB will provide a three-year transitional period for schools to switch to the new funding mode before the 2021/22 school year. If schools require more time to handle the personnel matters concerning their serving student guidance personnel, such as having special needs to retain the student guidance personnel, and are not able to switch to the new funding mode after the three-year transitional period, they can discuss this with the EDB separately.

     For schools currently choosing to employ a Student Guidance Teacher (SGT), they can continue with the current arrangements including the appointment of SGTs, the regrading of existing non-graduate SGTs, and the transfer of existing of SGTs under the same school sponsoring body. 

     "We will improve the establishment of school social workers in special schools to increase social work manpower so as to ensure that special schools with fewer students are provided with at least one school social worker," the spokesman said.

     While implementing the new policy, the EDB will review the mode of collaboration between student guidance and social work services, and explore with the education sector various feasible proposals so that schools can adopt the best way to continue to provide social work and guidance services for their students.

     With an aim to strengthen school social work and guidance services, the implementation of the "one school social worker for each school" policy in public sector primary schools and the improved provision of social workers in special schools will involve an annual additional expenditure of $138 million.
 
Ends/Friday, April 27, 2018
Issued at HKT 12:20
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