Engagement of Trained Professionals for Student Care Centres

Mr Cai Yinzhou asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether the funding model for Student Care Centres provides for trained professionals such as teachers, social workers and psychologists, or only educator aides; (b) how Special Student Care Centres currently resource such professionals; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider funding trained professional positions in centres serving children with special or behavioural needs.

Answer:

            The Government does not provide manpower-related funding for Student Care Centre (SCC) operators currently.

2.          Today, children with higher special educational needs would be better served in SPED schools. After school, they can enrol in Special SCCs (SSCCs). SSCCs are different from SCCs; the former caters primarily to SPED students with higher educational needs.

3.          SSCCs provide care for SPED students after school hours. The Ministry of Social and Family Development provides SSCC operators with an operating grant which they can use towards the cost of operations, including training to equip staff to meet the needs of students in their care.