SOCIAL WELFARE DIVISION

The Social Welfare Division headed by the Social Welfare commissioner is responsible for the administration of 55 Social Welfare Centres operating in the country.  The Division directs and controls the operation of the centres through the formulation of policies and programmes that are in line with the declared action of the Government.  Officers of welfare grade and Community Support Officers are posted amongst others at Social Welfare Centres to help in the implementation of the welfare activities.

Social Welfare Centres have been at the service of the community for the past 50 years.   They have largely influenced the social development of villages and have networked with other social agencies to contribute towards the social uplift, empowerment and integration of local communities.

  MISSION STATEMENT

As laid down in the Social Welfare Centre Act, the object of every centre is to further health, advance education, provide facilities for mental and physical training and generally for recreation and for social, moral and intellectual development.

  SOCIAL WELFARE COMMITTEES

To ensure a participatory approach to the management of community-based programmes, each centre is managed together with a Social Welfare Committee comprising of 18 voluntary social workers appointed by the Minister for a two year period.   The members are representatives of the diverse interests that exist in the community and they form the necessary link between the centre and the local inhabitants.

  ACTIVITIES/SERVICES

Social Welfare Centres cater for the needs of various age-groups – children, youth, women, men, persons with disabilities and the elderly through the provision of services and through the organisation of informational/educational/recreational/leisure/cultural programmes and ensure a top-bottom approach in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of social activities.  Additional activities focussing on income-generation for families, skills development for individuals and groups and empowerment for the community have also been implemented.