A child-welfare expert called for more frequent and thorough assessments of high-risk families on Thursday and said social workers must report any signs of child abuse right away.

Against Child Abuse director Maple Lau was speaking on an RTHK programme a day after a mother, 37, was jailed for 22 years for abusing and starving her five-year-old son to death.

"For high-risk families, ongoing assessments are crucial. When the risk level is high, the assessments shouldn't just be regular – they need to be more frequent and more thorough," she said.

"We need to look at several factors, including the parents' ability to teach the child, the family environment, and the child's needs at different stages of development."

Lau said frontline workers must act immediately if they see any signs of child abuse.

"Whether you're a frontline social worker, or any other professional, if you have any concerns during an assessment or evaluation, you must seek help as soon as possible – talk to your supervisor and get advice," she said.

In a statement, the Social Welfare Department said it was deeply saddened by the case.

It urged parents and carers to ensure children are properly cared for and never harmed.

The department said relatives, neighbours or service providers who notice suspicious injuries, unusual behaviour or emotional distress in children should encourage them to seek help or refer them to the authorities.

It said if abuse is suspected or the situation is urgent, they should report to authorities or police immediately to prevent a tragedy from unfolding.


Edited by Tony Sabine