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Treatment facilities provided directly by the local authority include vision
clinics (3 sessions weekly) in local authority premises, 1 orthoptic clinic and
4 special investigation clinics for treatment of enuresis, obesity and minor
behaviour problems. Minor ailments, accidents and foot care are provided for in
5 Minor Ailment Clinics.
Braidwood Audiology Clinic, situated in the vicinity of the School for Deaf
Children is providing comprehensive assessment for children with impairment of
hearing and speech. The clinic is staffed by an E.N.T. surgeon, an audiologist,
an educational psychologist, speech therapist and a social worker. 177 new cases
have been seen during the year. An audiology centre at Barley Mow School
Treatment Centre (Waterloo) provides Investigation and Treatment for North
Lambeth children who fail to pass pure tone testing.
Audiometry
All children in the primary schools in the Borough have a sweep test by a
specially trained and experienced school nurse and those showing hearing loss
are followed up and referred for investigation where necessary to an audiology
unit.
Vision
All children including those attending nursery classes have their vision tested
as soon as possible after admission.
Special educational problems
Many school children present complex problems of learning difficulties and
behaviour. Close co-operation with all agencies involved in the solution of these
problems helps with educational placement and provision of help to the children,
school staff, and parents. The agencies involved Include teaching staff, school
doctors, educational psychologist, child care officer, school inquiry officer,
probation officer, school care organiser, psychiatrist, etc. There is a shortage of
places in E.S.N, schools and schools for maladjusted children in the Borough, and
efforts are being made by the Inner London Education Authority to provide
more vacancies.
Placement of children in residential schools is the responsibility of the
specialist staff at County Hall.
There is a large number of children in the Borough requiring lanaguage
stimulation and an early introduction to social life. New nursery classes have been
opened in the Borough at which children selected by the Head Teachers attend on
a half day basis — 30 in the morning, 30 in the afternoon. A few vacancies are kept
open in each nursery class for children needing admission on socio-medical grounds.