View report page

Initially all referrals are made by health visitors, and the types of cases referred
generally come within the category of social need. The scheme started on 1st October 1968
and by the end of the year 11 cases had been referred to the Association.
PREVENTION OF BREAK-UP OF FAMILIES
The Co-ordinating Committee has continued to meet at two-monthly intervals. During the
year there was a further increase in the number of case conferences held on individual families.
Meetings were held on 22 occasions to consider a total of 103 families. Some of these families
were considered several times because of the complexity of their problems.
STUDENTS OF SOCIAL WORK
Four students from the London School of Economics came to the department during the year.
Two came for short periods of general observation of the services provided and two for experience
of family casework.
VENEREAL DISEASE
The social workers attached to the Special Clinics at Holloway Prison and the Royal
Northern Hospital have commented on the large part played by public ignorance of the dangers
of promiscuity in the spread of venereal disease. There is still a great need for education
using all modern means of communication to bring the facts before the public.
RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS
The recuperative holiday scheme provides holidays at approved homes in suitable cases for
persons recommended on medical grounds as being in need of rest, fresh air and good food to
aid recovery from recent illness. Those requiring supervision, medical and nursing care were
not eligible, but were referred for treatment to the appropriate hospital board.
The total number of recuperative holidays arranged during the year was lower than were
arranged for 1967. A number of letters were received stating how beneficial the holidays had
been and expressing gratitude to all responsible for arranging them. The greatest decrease
was in those arranged for unaccompanied children and was probably due to the large number of
school journeys, and to the fact that more parents can now afford to take their children away
on holiday themselves. Recommendations on behalf of school children were mostly referred to
the Inner London Education Authority which maintains two holiday homes.

MENTAL HEALTH
There is evidence of a more positive approach towards mental health emerging throughout
the country and this has been reflected during 1968 by trends in Islington's mental health
programme, and by its emphasis on prevention as well as cure.
LIAISON WITH GENERAL PRACTITIONERS
Four mental health social workers are still attached to general practitioners' surgeries,
and we hope to increase this number as soon as staffing permits. These weekly sessions in the
surgeries afford considerable opportunities for preventive work.
94