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FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
As it is felt that a Borough the size of Camden, with a population of almost a quarter of a
million, should be made self-sufficient in community care services for most of its mentally subnormal,
a Junior training centre and an industrial centre for adults are included in future planning.
Provision has also been made for a day rehabilitation centre and a day centre for more chronic
psychiatric patients in-the community. Hostels for the mentally disordered are to be supplemented
by boarding-out schemes with boarding-out officers maintaining contact with the patient and landlady.
It is hoped that an appointment of a consultant psychiatrist will be made jointly with
University College and Friern Hospitals.
FAMILY CASEWORK
The casework service (which is separate from the mental health section) within the Health
Department of Camden has developed considerably during the year. On April 1 1965 the Principal
Social Worker and her deputy who are both professionally qualified medical social workers were
assisted by only one full-time caseworker who had been transferred to Camden by the London County
Council. In June, one of the social workers in the school health section was appointed a part-time
family caseworker, whilst remaining a part-time social worker under the Inner London Education
Authority. Also in June, two full-time family caseworkers were appointed, one joining the department
in September and the other in October; both are professionally qualified medical social workers.
On 1 April 1965, ten families were transferred from Division 2 of the former London County
Council to Camden Health Department for casework support. In accordance with the policy of the
Camden Council to provide a family service in the Borough, we moved away from the previously
held idea that family caseworkers in the Health Department worked only with problem families
referred by the Co-ordinating Committee. Referrals of clients, including single persons, who have
been experiencing temporary stress due to illness and other factors, have been encouraged. There
has been veryclose co-operation with the Children's, Welfare and Housing Departments as well as
with general practitioners, medical social workers in hospitals and voluntary agencies. Apart from
the families transferred from the London County Council, 46 referrals from a wide variety of sources
were accepted, details of which are given below.
An analysis of the problems which families and individuals experience shows that ill
health, low financial means and housing difficulties were the most prevalent precipitating factors.
In one member's case poor health was present in at least a third of the families, and also in a
third of the cases bad housing was a contributory factor. In six instances no children were involved
the client either living alone or with another adult.
It is likely that the demand for casework help from this department will increase, particularly
as general practitioners and medical social workers in hospitals become more aware of the
service available.
The Principal Social Worker is Secretary to the Camden Family Service and also co-ordinates
social work within the Health Department; she acts as liaison officer with voluntary and statutory
agencies.

Number of cases referred for assessment and co-ordination for whom casework support
was either provided by other agencies or was not considered necessary - 165.
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