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 340 Agency Member, 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 welfare agencies committed to sustain and develop social welfare 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 welfare 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.
  

 

FIVE CORE BUSINESSES OF HKCSS

Agency Development and Partnership

To liaise with social welfare agencies, provide membership services and professional support, facilitate resource development; promote public understanding of welfare agencies and their services, enhance public accountability; foster strategic cross-sectoral partnership with the business and other professionals, and also pool together the effort of the third sector, to build a cohesive and caring society.

Service Development and Liaison

To promote social service development and planning, enhance service quality, promote and encourage agencies to adopt good practices, review service delivery models, provide forums for exchanges and joint endeavours, keep abreast of the overall needs and changes of society.

Quality Management and Efficiency Enhancement

To co-ordinate training activities organized by the HKCSS, enhance welfare agencies' capability, promote social services efficiency and effectiveness, promote sharing of experience in quality management, the effective use of management systems and tools to improve management and service delivery of social welfare services.

Policy Research and Advocacy

To undertake and support research and other evidence based studies on policies which have impact on welfare and social development, monitor and analyze social development statistics and trends, conduct policy analysis, advocacy and response, maintain regular dialogue with policy makers and communications with the public to promote understanding and influence policy making.

International and Regional Networking

To foster network and exchanges with international and regional counterparts for experience sharing and practice advancement, represent the NGO sector to participate in and contribute to the international and regional social welfare and social development agenda, facilitate the local welfare sector to keep abreast of international agenda on welfare issues and standards of practices, monitor the compliance of the international conventions related to welfare and social development in Hong Kong.

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.

Life Members

Individuals who had registered as life members prior to the date of September 27, 2001 shall be the Life Members of the Council until such time as they withdraw their membership or become deceased.

As of March 2008, the Council has 349 Agency Members. Among them, 137 are organizations receiving social welfare subvention, 128 are members of the Community Chest, and 57 are receiving funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Among the membership, there are 41 mutual help groups, 7 organizations formed by professionals, 6 tertiary institutions providing social work training and 4 foundations.

According to the information provided by Agency Members, 58 agencies (around 17%) are large-scale social service organizations with an annual operation cost over HK$50,000,000. 95 agencies (around 27%) are medium-sized social service organizations with an annual operation cost ranging from HK$5,000,000 to HK$50,000,000. 105 agencies (around 30%) are small to medium sized social service organizations with an annual operation cost ranging from HK$1,000,000 to HK$5,000,000. 91 agencies (around 26%) are small sized social service organizations with an annual operation cost less than HK$1,000,000.

 

HKCSS ORGANIZATION CHART

Key Staff of HKCSS

(April 2008)