On-site Preschool Rehabilitation Services – Bridge-Integrated Education Service

Introduction

Hong Kong Christian Service (HKCS) has been subsidised by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) for the "Pilot Scheme on On-site Preschool Rehabilitation Services (OPRS)" since 2015. The Government has regularised the Tier 1 Support Services and integrated them with OPRS since September 2023 to offer comprehensive and timely assistance to pre‑school children with different levels of special needs through inter-disciplinary service teams under a school-based and integrated approach. HKCS operates 6 teams, named "Bridge Integrated Education Service (BIES)".

Our transdisciplinary teams serve children with special needs in participating kindergartens (KGs) and kindergarten-cum-child care centres (KG-cum-CCCs), together with parents and teachers. We help kindergartens create inclusive learning environments so that children with special needs can better integrate into schooling environment and community life, and lay a solid foundation for future development and learning.

Purposes

• Promote children's holistic development in physical fitness, fine motor skills, cognition, language, self-care and social-emotions.
• Enhance children's classroom participation and adaptation.
• Enhance preschool teachers' knowledge and skills to identify, teach and nurture children with special needs.
• Equip parents and family members with the necessary knowledge and skills for nurturing their children's development.

Target Service Users

On-site Pre-school Rehabilitation Services

Children under six attending the KGs/ KG-cum-CCCs participating in Bridge-Integrated Education Service who are:

• assessed by pediatricians, clinical/educational  psychologists or other qualified professionals as recognised by SWD, referrals can be made by social workers of integrated family service centres, medical social services units or designated service units under Central Referral System for Rehabilitation Services – Subsystem for Disabled Pre-schoolers (CRSRehab-PS) for application for pre-school rehabilitation services.

Tier 1 Support Services

Children under six attending he KGs/ KG-cum-CCCs participating in Bridge-Integrated Education Service who are:

• awaiting assessment by Child Assessment Centres (CACs), or
• assessed by CACs to have borderline developmental problem, or
• assessed by the OPRS team as having special needs with reference to the “Child Observation Checklist” (COC).
• Teachers/ child care workers and parents/ carers of the above children.

Application Procedure

On-site Pre-school Rehabilitation Services

Referrals can be made by social workers or staff of rehabilitation service units to the Central Referral System for Rehabilitation Services of the SWD. The application is free of charge.

Tier 1 Support Services

Parents/ carers may consult the teachers or other professions (e.g. social workers in pre- primary institutions) of participating KGs/ KG-cum-CCCs or approach our service direct for enquiry.

Withdrawal Procedure

1. The child has been assessed by the Child Assessment Service (CAS) or our professionals as not in need of subsidised pre-school rehabilitation services ; 
2. The child will receive other Pre-school Rehabilitation Services; 
3. The child is promoted to Primary School; 
4. The child has reached the age of six; 
5. The child has left the school participating in the On-site Pre-school rehabilitation services; 
6. Parents withdraw from the service on their own; 
7. The child has completed the training goals.

Scope of Services

For children with special needs

• Periodic developmental assessments and review on training progress
• On-site individual, group, class-based training and therapy
• Centre-based training at service units equipped with rehabilitation facilities

For teachers and child care workers

• On-site professional consultation services and demonstrations
• Professional talks, workshops, seminars, etc.

For parents and carers

• Talks, workshops and seminars, etc.
• Review sessions for "Individual Training Plans"
• Individual or family counselling and support

Value-added Services

• Resource library for training materials
• Inclusive programmes for schools and parents
• Hotline Consultation
• Programmes of Chih Ai Parents' Association

Service Features

• Utilises a holistic, systematic and school-based curriculum approach for supporting children with special needs;
• Renders an early intervention and rehabilitation service via transdisciplinary team consisting of:
  • Educational psychologists
  • Speech therapists
  • Occupational therapists
  • Physiotherapists
  • Special child care workers
  • Social workers
• Provide additional space for therapy and training in mobile training centre.

Fees

There is no charge for basic services.