Effective Intervention with Youth-at-Risk in Hong Kong

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Promoting Client Participation: A Study of Youth Probationers in Hong Kong

Advocacy for promoting client participation in the helping process of social work has been reported in the literature since the 1970s. But the practicality of the concept in working with young probationers has never been explored. This paper presents a recent qualitative study exploring the applicability of client participation in the supervision process with young probationers who are usually regarded as immature and lacking both self-confidence and the ability to make the “right” decisions. The findings of the study indicate that youth probationers can participate in the service if allowed to. They also support the promotion of the concept in working with youth probationers. Principles to promote the implementation of this concept in working with youth probationers in the probation service are suggested.postprin

Impacts of adventure-based counseling training on the young olds

It is commonly believed that Adventure-based Counseling (ABC) training is intended for young people who are active and energetic. The St. James' Settlement (an NGO) in Hong Kong, however, believes that such training can also have positive effects on the young olds (individuals aged 50–65). A group of young old trainees was recruited from the community to help implement related activities to elderly members of this NGO. Their general health condition, levels of life satisfaction, optimism, and self-efficacy were measured before and after the training, and a control group was also recruited. The results show that the ABC training had significant impacts on the life satisfaction, optimism, and self-efficacy levels of the young old trainees. Recommendations are made at the end of the paper.postprin

The Possibility of Promoting User Participation in Working with High-Risk Youth

Advocacy for promoting user participation in the helping process of social work has been reported in the literature since the 1970s, but the practicality of the concept for different clienteles of social work has been rarely explored. This paper presents a recent qualitative study on exploring the applicability of user participation in work with high-risk youth in the streets who are usually regarded as immature and low in both self-confidence and the ability to make the 'right' decisions. The findings of the study support the promotion of the concept of user participation in working with high-risk youth. Positive changes and growth were observed among this group with the application of user participation in the helping process. Ways for promoting the implementation of this concept in work with high-risk youth are suggested.postprin

Job satisfaction of outreach youth workers in Hong Kong

The promotion of job satisfaction that may lead to staff retention has always been a popular concern for human resources research. The job satisfaction and staff retention of workers in District Youth Outreaching Social Work Teams (YOTs) in Hong Kong are the themes of the present study. Through a literature review, eight facets of job satisfaction, namely Coworker Relationships, Job Complexity and Nature, Promotional Opportunity, Pay and Benefits, Work Environment, Supervision and Leadership, Role and Responsibility, and Recognition, are identified and measured among the frontline staff of the YOTs through pre-set self-administered mailed questionnaires. In relation to these facets, their intention to leave the service is also explored. The findings reveal that these workers are generally satisfied with their job (the service). At the end, some recommendations are made to promote job satisfaction and facilitate staff retention in YOTs in Hong Kong.postprin

The feasibility of promoting user participation to elderly service workers

The practicality of promoting the user participation concept in the helping process of social work with the elderly has rarely been explored. This article explores the applicability of adopting user participation in the provision of social services for the elderly from the practitioner's point of view. The findings support the promotion of user participation in working with the elderly. Methods for the implementation of this concept in working with the elderly are suggested.postprin

Young school dropouts: Levels of influence of different systems

Different countries have encountered the problem of increasing young people dropping out of schools. Causes relating to family, school and peers have been suggested in many studies. However, the levels of influence from these different social systems on the phenomenon, which bear intervention implications, are seldom explored. This qualitative study has found that family, school and peers have respectively exerted distal, predisposing and immediate effects on the phenomenon of young school dropouts. Based on the findings, works in different systems are recommended so that the problem of young school dropouts can be greatly reduced. © 2003 Taylor & Francis Ltd.postprin

Teens of the Night - The Young Night Drifters in Hong Kong

This article describes a recent study on young night drifters in Hong Kong, which is currently an alarming youth problem in the territory. The social background, subculture, and problems faced by these young people are introduced. Employing an environmental perspective, the causes of their night-drifting behavior are suggested. In addition, the identified service needs of, and proposed services for, these young people are also presented. It is believed that this study has implications for youth policy makers and service providers in countries that have encountered similar problems.postprin

香港警隊在青少年犯罪預防上的角色

警 察 的 公 眾 形 象 是 硬 朗 ， 權 威 性 及 對 罪 行 是 嚴 厲 的 。 但 在 處 理 青 少 年 罪 犯 時 ， 香 港 警 隊 有 其 特 別 的 步 驟 與 方 法 ， 以 確 保 他 們 的 福 祉 受 到 重 視 。 「 警 司 警 誡 」 便 是 其 方 法 之 一 。 但 被 警 誡 後 的 青 少 年 轉 至 警 隊 旗 下 的 青 少 年 保 護 組 作 督 導 跟 進 的 適 切 性 備 受 批 評 。 一 項 研 究 顯 示 ， 警 察 對 青 少 年 罪 犯 的 背 景 及 應 處 理 的 方 法 ， 有 著 社 會 性 及 福 利 性 的 態 度 。 他 們 與 社 工 合 作 是 預 防 青 少 年 犯 罪 的 可 行 方 法 。 就 此 ， 本 文 建 議 了 幾 項 雙 方 可 合 作 的 策 略 。postprin