July 2015
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong Community College
Subject Description Form
Subject Code
CCN3109
Subject Title
Social Welfare in Hong Kong
Level
3
Credit Value
3
Medium of
Instruction
English and Chinese (Cantonese)
Pre-requisite /
Co-requisite/
Exclusion
Nil
Objectives
This subject aims at helping students acquire a basic understanding of
Hong Kong social welfare system. The basic concepts related to social
welfare are introduced. It equips students with the analytical ability in
identifying and examining the key factors that affect social welfare
policy and services in Hong Kong.
Intended Learning
Outcomes
Upon completion of the subject, students will be able to:
(a) identify the human needs and social needs in the local context and
pinpoint the social welfare policy and services which exist to meet
them.
(b) examine the social issues and problems in the local context and
discuss how the social welfare policy and services respond to them.
(c) evaluate current social welfare policy and services in Hong Kong.
(d) develop their analytical ability in discussing local social welfare
issues, policy and services.
Subject Synopsis/
Indicative Syllabus
Basic Concepts and Theories Related to Social Welfare
Definition and boundaries of social welfare; Social policy; Social
services; Social welfare; Social welfare services; Social problems; Social
needs; Social cost; Redistribution; Universalism; Selectivism; Altruism;
Egalitarianism; Marginalisation; Poverty; Social inclusion.
Development of Social Welfare in Hong Kong
Historical development of social welfare in Hong Kong; Factors
affecting its development.
Different Actors in the Field of Social Welfare in Hong Kong and
their Relations
Government organisations; Non-governmental organisations; Self-help
organisations;
Funding
agencies;
Community;
Beneficiaries;
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July 2015
Professionals; Service users.
Different Kinds of Welfare Services in Hong Kong
Social security; Family and child welfare services; Services for young
people; Medical social services; Rehabilitation services; Services for
elders; Services for offenders; Community development.
Evaluation of Social Welfare Policies and Welfare Services
Measures; Effectiveness; Limitations.
Recent Development and Trends in Social Welfare
Professionalisation; Contracting out of services; Service integration;
Community-based services; Community care; Social Enterprise; Service
performance monitoring; Subvention reform; Enhancement productivity
program; Service quality standards.
Teaching/Learning
Methodology
Students will be expected to take an active part in the learning process.
The analytical ability of students will be developed in discussing
different social welfare issues in Hong Kong. In addition to interactive
lectures, class exercises, video shows and case/news discussions will be
used to help students integrate and apply the knowledge and concepts
gained.
Students will be required to arrange field visits to different social welfare
services agencies in order to facilitate in-depth understanding of the
social welfare services in Hong Kong. Students will also be required to
choose a topic related to the subject and prepare a group presentation.
Small groups of students will meet and work collaboratively to prepare
for their presentations.
Assessment
Methods in
Alignment with
Intended Learning
Outcomes
A variety of assessment tools will be used to develop and assess
students’ achievement of the subject intended learning outcomes.
Specific assessment
methods/tasks
%
weighting
Intended subject learning
outcomes to be assessed
a
b
c
d
Continuous Assessment*
100
 Group Project
40




 Individual Paper
25




 Quiz
25

 Participation
10

Total
100




*Continuous assessment items and/or weighting may be adjusted by the subject
team subject to the approval of the College Programme Committee.
To pass this subject, students are required to obtain Grade D or above in
the Continuous Assessment.
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Student Study
Effort Expected
Class contact
Hours
 Lecture
26
 Tutorial
13
Other student study effort
Reading List and
References
 Self-study
42
 Continuous Assessment
52
Total student study effort
133
Major References
Gilbert, N. & Terrel, P. (2013). Dimensions of Social Welfare Policy. (8th
ed.), Allyn and Bacon.
周永新：《社會福利十二講》，香港：商務印書館，1993 年。
References
Shek, D. T. L., et al. (ed.). (2002). Advances in Social Welfare in Hong
Kong. Chinese University Press.
陳錦華，王志錚編：《香港社會政策評論》，香港：中文大學出版
社，2004 年。
周永新：《社會福利的觀念和制度》，香港：中華書局，1998 年。
周永新，陳沃聰編著：《社會工作學新論》，香港 : 商務印書館，
2013 年。
呂大樂：《凝聚力量 ---- 香港非政府機構發展軌跡》，香港 : 三聯
書店(香港)有限公司，2010 年。
黃洪：《「無窮」的盼望──香港貧窮問題探析》，香港：中華書
局(香港)有限公司，2013 年。
李健正等編：《新社會政策》，香港：中文大學出版社，1999 年。
朱佩蘭：《安老與社會工作》， 香港 : 中文大學出版社，2001 年。
梁國香，黃山編：《青少年問題解碼》，香港：三聯書店(香港)有
限公司，2009 年。
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