BRIEF HISTORY OF HKCSS

In the 1940s, Hong Kong recovering from World War II had experienced drastic social and economic changes. There was massive influx of refugees from the Mainland which generated the need to carry out large-scale relief work. Charitable organizations and welfare agencies provided services and assistance to those in need. The Committee on Voluntary Emergency Relief Council was then set up to co-ordinate and plan various welfare services. As the number of welfare agencies increased and services provided became diversified, the coordination effort became more and more important. By 1947, the Committee developed into the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (hereinafter called "the Council"), and became a body corporate in 1951.

The Council has grown since then to become an umbrella organization of over 400 Agency Members, that provide over 90% of the social welfare services for those in need through their 3,000 service units all over Hong Kong.

Our Position

The Council represents, with clear vision and professional expertise, non-governmental social service agencies committed to sustain and develop social services in Hong Kong.

Our Values

The Council and its member agencies believe in social justice and equality, and the intrinsic rights of every individual. While society is obliged to provide individuals with the basic social and economic resources to develop their potentials, individuals in turn should carry out their responsibilities towards their families and society, to be self-reliant and to achieve self-actualization.

Our Vision

To build a social service sector that is highly accountable, efficient, effective and responsive to social needs, upholding the long-term sustainable development of society and the well-being of our citizens.

Our Mission

To promote the development of social welfare together with its member agencies, through:

• Enhancing accountability of social welfare service agencies;
• Promoting improvement of social welfare services;
• Facilitating agencies to better serve the community;
• Advocating equality, justice, social integration and a caring society;
• Setting the local welfare sector as a model of excellence in the international community.
  

 

CORE BUSINESSES OF HKCSS

Service Development

Promote service excellence and innovation to address changing social needs

• Elderly Service
• Children and Youth Service
• Family and Community Service
• Rehabilitation Service
• Internet Learning Resource Centre

Policy Research and Advocacy

Advocate for social justice and social development

• Social Development
• Poverty and Social Security
• Social Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
• Social Impact and Research

Sector and Capacity Development

Build strong NGO sector, promote international and regional collaboration

• HKCSS Institute
• HKCSS Reference Library
• IT Resource Centre
• Membership Liaison and Service
• International and Mainland China Affairs

Public Engagement and Partnership

Promote caring society, CSR and philanthropy

• Caring Company Scheme
• HKCSS CSR Institute
• WiseGiving
• HKCSS Channel

 

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HKCSS MEMBERSHIP

There are two kinds of membership: Agency Members and Life Members. As Council's core businesses focus on the work of social service organizations, no new application for Life Membership would be accepted since our organizational review in 2001. Social service organizations whose aims and objects are in harmony with those of the Council and who have an active interest in the social service field or those who provide as their primary function a bona fide direct social service which helps to meet the existing needs of the community are eligible to apply for the Council's membership.

Agency Members

According to Clause 13 of the Council's Constitution, organizations wishing to apply for the Council's membership must fulfill the following criteria in order to be eligible:

1. They must be recognized by the Council as being a non-profit-making body;
2. They must have been in operation for a period of at least one year;
3. They must possess a Constitution or similar document in incorporation;
4. They must publish their annual report and audited accounts or certified accounts with regards to annual income and expenditure;
5. They must comply with such other conditions as may be prescribed by the Executive Committee from time to time.

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HKCSS ORGANIZATION CHART

Key Staff of HKCSS

(June 2009)