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Towards the end of the year, at the request of the Venereologist at the Royal
Northern Hospital, the Council agreed to appoint a social worker for work with patients
and their contacts.
Prevention of Break-up of Families
On 1st April, 1965 the Borough reconstituted the former London County Council
Co-ordinating Committee. Under my terms of reference I acted as Chairman, and the
Children's Officer as Vice-chairman. The Borough Housing and Welfare Departments,
the loner London Education Authority and the Greater London Council Housing Department
were represented on the Committee which met every two months.
Case conferences were held at the request of the statutory or voluntary agency
concerned to discuss individual families and were attended by the appropriate workers.
In this way problems which might lead to the break-up of a family came to light, concerted
action could be taken and the available services used to the best advantage. Action to
evict families with dependent children was not taken by the Housing Departments without
prior consultation through co-ordinating machinery.
Because of the changes under the London Government Act, the Co-ordinating Committee
thought that there was a need for the field staff in the different departments to meet
and exchange information about the work done by each department and how it is carried
out. A small committee of officers was appointed to draw up a programme of talks.
Health Amenities Fund
This fund originally derived substantially from the London Sunday Cinematograph
Fund and proved a valuable source of financial help to families and children. Although
the cinemas' contributions were drastically decreased, other contributions from voluntary
sources remained and a voluntary committee was formed to administer them as "The London
Borough of Islington Health Amenities Fund'.
Loan of Equipment

In order to reduce accidents in the home through unguarded fires, the Council
loaned fireguards to necessitous families with children under 12 years of age, and
to necessitous elderly, handicapped or blind persons. In each case, the consent of
the landlord was obtained to any necessary work being carried out to fix the guard
in position. 58 fireguards were loaned during 1965.
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