Enhanced service: Director of Social Welfare Paul Tang says more resources will be allocated to urgent foster care.

More resources will be allocated to urgent foster care service, Director of Social Welfare Paul Tang says, adding the Government is now assessing the amount of extra resources needed to enhance the service.

Speaking after the Foster Families Service Award Presentation Ceremony today, Mr Tang said the demand for children's urgent residential care service is increasing because of the recent upward trend in the number of child abuse cases.

Foster care placements increasing

The number of foster care placements has increased from 589 in early 2002 to 795 in 2005.

There are 936 registered foster families in Hong Kong and eight non-governmental organisations are providing the service.

A total of 766 children are now receiving foster care and 35 of them have special needs.