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(10) Children who are found to be deaf may have been on the
Risk Register or may have an acquired deafness. Most of these
children will be notified to the Department by the Hospital Consultant.
They are reviewed regularly by a Medical Officer and Social
Worker to ensure that they are obtaining the necessary aids, keeping
hospital appointments and receiving training. At the age of two
years a complete medical and social history is provided for the
Medical Adviser whose Otologist makes a recommendation regarding
future schooling. Again during school years, co-ordination takes
place between the School Care Committee and the Social Worker
staff from the Department.
C. School Children in Special Schools
(1) These children are examined by a School Medical Officer
every term, also by a Consultant employed by the Inner London
Education Authority in the case of deaf, blind and physically
handicapped school children. At these examinations, consultation
takes place between the Medical Officer, Head Teacher, parent and
Care Committee Worker to ensure that education and all necessary
services are obtained by the child and his family.
(2) An annual rota examination takes place in all children attending
E.S.N, schools at "upper" and "lower" limits of this designation,
otherwise rota examinations take place on recommendations by the
Head Teacher.
(3) The Borough Deaf Register contains the names of all deaf
children of any age. This ensures regular review of these children
by a Medical Officer and Social Worker. In every case medical and
school progress reports are obtained and appropriate action is
taken. In the case of children attending schools for the deaf and
partially hearing, the children are also regularly reviewed by an
Otologist employed by the I.L.E.A.
(4) The welfare of children in Boarding Schools is followed up by
the School Care Committee or a Social Worker of the Invalid
Children's Aid Association. The Principal Social Worker (Health
Services) is kept informed of the progress of these children.
*(5) The I.L.E.A. Working Party has suggested that a Social
Worker from the School Health Service should be appointed to all
Special Schools. There is good liaison between the local Paediatric
Departments and the Borough concerning the progress of children
who attend these schools and the hospital Out-Patient Department
and Local Authority Social Workers already work within the hospitals
to co-ordinate services for all school children, not only the
handicapped. No firm attachment is possible at present to Special
Schools or hospital departments due to staffing difficulties, but
whenever a Consultant requests such a visit, the appropriate Social
Worker goes into the hospital—not only the Social Worker (School