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3. The hospital outpatient departments, although very much appreciated
by parents, are not a suitable venue for long and detailed explanation
of manipulative procedures.
4. The shortage of Local Authority medical staff prevents parent
counselling clinics being established.
5. The Social Services Directorate still adheres to the philosphy of
generic social workers, therefore, specialisation in the care of young
handicapped children among social workers is not available.
It is hoped now that with the decreasing numbers of mentally handicapped
children and the increasing interest of professional workers at all levels and in all
professions, a parent counselling service will be properly structured in the near
future. Some discussions with a multi-disciplinary approach have already taken
place in Lambeth on this matter.
E. STRUCTURE PLACEMENT AND EDUCATION
DAILY PLACEMENT
The placement of achild should serve the child's interests as well as the
family's welfare. Because of the scarcity of places for mentally handicapped
children, the child's interests cannot always be the primary consideration in
choosing the placement.
(Children attending day hospital for treatment for therapeutic purposes
are not included in this section, inasmuch as we have so little information
regarding the number of children attending, frequency of attendance and
length of time spent on treatment).