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Supervisor, Lewisham training centre) and London Boroughs' Training Committee
course for matrons of day nurseries and supervisors of training centres (Supervisor,
Lewisham Training Centre).
Conferences attended included those of the National Association for Mental
Health (Annual Conference, Child Guidance Inter-Clinic Conference and Conference
for London Boroughs on Medical and Social Aspects of Subnormality) and
the Federation of Associations of Mental Health Workers.
An experimental course of seven weekly lectures on different aspects of mental
disorder by psychiatrists from Bexley and Darenth Park hospitals was held towards
the end of the year for a representative group of about twenty-five Health Department
field workers. The course proved successful and a series of similar courses is proposed
so that all field staff will have an opportunity of attending.
Co-operation with Voluntary Bodies
A move towards the setting up of a local Association for Mental Health was welcomed
and encouraged. At a meeting of representatives of interested organisations
and individuals held in June a Steering Committee was chosen; the Chairman of the
Health Committee was elected as Chairman of this committee and the Principal
Mental Health Officer attended its meetings as my representative.
Close relations were maintained with the Lewisham Society for Mentally Handicapped
Children. The Lewisham training centre premises were made available to the
Society for meetings and social events and the Principal Mental Health Officer and
training centre supervisory staff attended the Society's meetings. During the year the
Society very kindly made available to the Health Department a newly purchased
minibus for the conveyance of mentally subnormal infants to the early care unit
pending the delivery of the Council's own vehicle. Generous donations by the
Society to the three training centres and the early care unit at Christmas were much
appreciated.
A proposal by the Southwark Diocesan Children's Council to establish a day
centre in Deptford for mentally subnormal children received the active support of the
Health Department, the Senior Medical Officer in charge of the mental health team
and the Principal Mental Health Officer representing the department on the working
committee set up to make preliminary arrangements. The centre will cater for 30
subnormal children between the ages of seven and fourteen with 10 normal children
of the same age group for two hours on Saturday mornings in the first instance
with the possibility of Sunday sessions later.
Work for educationally subnormal school leavers in Deptford by the Albany
Institute continued and expanded during the year and a grant towards these activities
was made by the Council.
The Friends of Honor Lea continued to provide social and material help for the
residents of the hostel which was greatly appreciated.
Family Casework
1.—During the year 33 families received casework help, which involved frequent
and constant support on a long term basis. The total number of children in these
families was 151. 13 were lone parents. This service which is provided by professionally
qualified social workers is primarily for families presenting multiple problems
although short term cases and assessments as to family need may be undertaken.
These families were known to many statutory and voluntary agencies and in the
majority there was total family disturbance. Initial areas of difficulty were seen as
follows:—
(a) Family relationships
(b) Social relations with the community
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