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54
The social workers co-operate closely with colleagues in statutory and voluntary agencies and in
particular with the Westminster Old People's Welfare Association. In 1972 there were 256 (315) new
referrals; the case-load at the end of the year was 376 (697). There were 5,347 (5,776) home visits and 74
(100) interviews in the office. The decline in case-load arose from the fact that intensive care was given to
fewer old people rather than superficial care to a larger number.
School Health Service
Five social workers specialise in work connected with the School Health Service and they ensure that the
school children referred to them have access to the many facilities which exist for their medical supervision
and treatment. Social work help is provided as and when required.
Owing to the number of children awaiting appointments at special investigation clinics it is hoped to
arrange for an additional clinic to be started early in 1973. Children receive help at these clinics in
connection with enuresis and obesity, minor behaviour problems and with failure to make satisfactory
physical and educational progress. Many children who attend show early emotional problems and this
aspect of the work is being developed. The service offered to them and their parents is one of preventive
casework. The importance of this preventive side of the work cannot be over-emphasised as the treatment
of minor behaviour problems often prevents more serious difficulties from developing. The behaviour
problems dealt with are those not suitable for a child guidance clinic or where the family cannot accept the
idea of child guidance at the time although referral there may later be necessary. Valuable links with the
child guidance service for consultation and assessment have developed particularly at Paddington Day
Hospital and the Middlesex Hospital (Department of Child Psychiatry).
During the year it was arranged that a Psychiatric Registrar from the Middlesex Hospital would undertake
work at one of the special investigation clinics and early in 1973 it is hoped to arrange for a second registrar
to be appointed at another clinic. The hospital staff welcome this arrangement as it helps to make them
more community orientated.
The weekly seminars led by the Council's Consultant Psychiatrist continued throughout the year. The
interchange of ideas and opinions between medical staff and social workers has proved, and is proving, most
useful. Invaluable team work is being carried out and there can be no doubt of the value of such discussions.
In connection with the special investigation clinics in 1972 there were 107 new referrals and 768
attendances were made at 227 sessions. There were 628 home visits and 43 interviews with clients at City
Hall. The number of families with whom social workers were in contact at the end of the year was 217. In
some cases the presenting problem at the time of referral to a special investigation clinic may clear up after
a comparatively short time but the social worker continues to be involved with the family as there may be
other difficulties. Frequent home visits and liaison with other social workers is necessary and intensive
support and a comprehensive service is given to such families. The number of these cases at the end of the
year was 49 and 583 home visits were made. There were 39 interviews with clients at City Hall. (These
numbers include certain cases referred for specialised help which are not connected with special investigation
clinics).
In connection with our case work service for the families of children attending special schools the
following point should perhaps first be made. Social work is basically the same in all work with handicapped
children although some specialisation and knowledge of the individual handicap is required. One of the
social workers has a responsibility for children who attend special schools and another for children who are
deaf or partially hearing. It is important that a supportive service is offered to parents with the aim of
enabling their children to live as full a life as possible within the limitations imposed by their handicap and
also to help their families operate more effectively. It is very apparent that difficulties within the family
may well be mitigated if guidance and support are available to parents in the early days when they first
realise that their child is in need of special education. It is at this stage that much can be done to ensure that
maximum benefit is derived from the educational services available. The social worker responsible for
children attending special schools was in touch with 32 families at the end of the year and made 90 home
visits. There were 15 interviews at City Hall.