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It will be seen that more than half the families discussed were
referred from Housing departments and many of the problems of
this group were related to rent arrears and threats of eviction.
In the main, the difficulties of the families brought to the notice of
the Case Committee are associated with mental disorder of the
parents, erratic work or unemployment, domestic discord, poor
health of parents and children or backward parents with large
families. Most have chronic rent arrears and hire-purchase debts
and many of the parents suffer an inability to live within their
earning capacity.
Some success was achieved in reducing debts ; two parents were
persuaded to have mental hospital treatment and considerable
supportive work has been given ; one family has shown marked
improvement in both their marital relations and the treatment of
their children. Two families at least remain chronic problem
families.
The social workers' time is spent not only in the visiting and
support of problem families themselves but also working in cooperation
with other agencies involved in each family.
Care of Old People
The effective care of the aged depends to a large degree on the
close liaison and co-ordination of effort of the statutory bodies
and voluntary organizations concerned in this vital work, and it
is with pleasure that I record that in Wandsworth these links exist
in full measure among all those concerned with the welfare of old
people. In addition to the ties which exist between the Health