FUNDING should be provided for cross-border family social services to tackle problems caused by increasing contacts, say social workers.
A pilot project launched by the Hong Kong branch of the International Social Service (ISS) has pioneered co-ordination with mainland officials in solving cross-border family and child problems.
The ISS is the only local agent providing services in China while serving Hong Kong-based clients.
The service has been running for a year but does not have financial support from the Government.
Juliana Soo, programme co-ordinator of the ISS, said cross-border family problems had manifested themselves with the influx of Hong Kong workers to the mainland over the past few years.
The professional services of Hong Kong social workers were needed, but the concept of having social services was alien to mainland people, she said.