Hong Kong welfare authorities urged to boost training for ‘community nannies’ after suspected child abuse case involving babysitter
- Lawmakers raise concerns at a panel meeting over government-funded ‘community nanny’ childcare scheme after case involving nine-month-old girl
- Welfare authorities have suggested training for nannies be increased from four hours to 14 hours but lawmakers question whether it is enough
Lawmakers have called for Hong Kong’s community nannies to be given more professional training to safeguard child safety, following the case of a nine-month-old girl who was allegedly abused by her babysitter.
Tik Chi-yuen, who represents the social welfare constituency, was among lawmakers who raised concerns at a Legislative Council panel meeting on Monday over the government-funded “community nanny” childcare scheme.
Although welfare authorities suggested training for the nannies be increased from four hours to 14 hours, Tik questioned whether that was enough to equip them with the ability to take care of children ranging in age from newborn to nine years under the scheme.
“The community nannies can be held accountable if anything happens. While Singapore and Taiwan are heading in the direction of professionalising them, the Hong Kong government is telling me we are relying on neighbourhood relations to safeguard the benefits of children,” he said.
“It is about child safety and child abuse. Is 14 hours of training sufficient?”
Tik said the government should consider changing its mindset from viewing the community nannies as volunteers. Their hourly rate will be increased from the current HK$25 to cover travel and babysitting expenses to up to HK$60.