View report page

86
In addition to the two purpose-built Junior Training Schools already
referred to, the Council's immediate plans include an Adult Training Centre in
Somerleyton Road for 150 trainees, two thirty-place Day Centres for the
mentally ill at the South Western Hospital and in Riggindale Road, and a twelveplace
hostel for mentally handicapped children. These are to be followed by a
second sixty-place Adult Training Centre, a second twelve-place hostel for
mentally handicapped children, two twenty-five-place hostels for mentally
handicapped adults, another thirty-place Day Centre for the mentally ill, and a
thirty-place work centre for sheltered employment.
TRAINING
Trainee Mental Health Social Workers
The Mental Health Social Worker Establishment includes five positions for
trainees. Men or women between the ages of 21 and 35 are appointed, and are
expected to have the minimum of 5 G.C.E. passes preferably including two at
"A" level. Preference is given to Social Science Graduates and persons with
practical experience of some form of social service. Trainee mental health social
workers usually complete not less than one year of practical work in the department
before commencing a full-time course of training. During this period they
participate in an In-Service Training Programme and work in one of the social
work teams under the supervision of a senior mental health social worker. It is
the trainee's responsibility to apply for a place on a full-time training course, and
the final selection of candidates rests with the University or College. University
Postgraduate Professional Social Work Courses are of one to two years duration,
while the Certificate in Social Work courses at Colleges of Further Education are
two years in length. Full salary and training expenses are paid during this period
on the undertaking that the officer remains in the Council's service for a minimum
of two years after qualification.
Trainee Teachers of Mentally Handicapped Children
Young men or women aged 18 years and over are appointed and are
expected to have a minimum of 5 "O" level G.C.E. passes including English.
Trainee teachers usually complete not less than one year of practical work in a
junior training school before commencing a full-time course of training. During
this period they take an active part in the work of the school under the supervision
of the head teacher. It is the trainee's responsibility to apply for a place
on a two-year full-time training course at a College of Further Education, and the
final selection of candidates rests with the College. Full salary and training
expenses are paid during this period on the undertaking that the officer remains
in the Council's service for a minimum of two years after qualification.
(Sgd) A.J. Shriever
Principal Mental Health Social Workers