As part of phase one of the development of the Martin James Foundation's Asia Care Network, comprehensive studies of the care system in each country were conducted to highlight the need for developing alternative care systems across South-East Asia. This case study highlights relevant data from Hong Kong.
According to the case study, whilst there is some data on the number of children living in residential care, no data can provide the exact number of children living in institutions in Hong Kong. Family-based care does not have an official definition in Hong Kong and foster care services are not prioritized there. There is a cultural expectation of reliance on the use of kinship care despite child protection issues. The SWD does provide family strengthening services in the form of Integrated Family Service Centres, of which there are 65 across Hong Kong. The Centres stress the importance of preventative services and facilitate parent-child bonding activities and family-based support programmes.
