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MEDICAL AND FAMILY SOCIAL WORK
Miss E. Stocker, Dips. Social Studies and Casework, A.A.P.S.W.,
Principal Social Worker
Social Workers continued to provide a family orientated service in both fields of
work which involved offering casework help, mobilizing inter-disciplinary resources,
and liaising with other statutory and voluntary agencies.
Medical Social Work
Medical Social Work expanded during the year, particularly with children suffering
from psycho-social and physical difficulties. This was due to two factors, firstly the
implementation of I.L.E.A. policy to attach School Health Social Workers to all
special schools (in addition to special educational units), and secondly the increase
in the number of children referred to special school clinics.
The function of the social worker regarding children entered on the Deaf Register
remains as before, that is to consider the child in relation to the total situation, to
liaise with other agencies, co-ordinate arrangements for treatment and provide
social work help as appropriate.
School Health Social Workers continued to be attached to:—
(a) Local Authority Clinics:—
Amersham Special Investigation Clinic — Health Centre,
Amersham Road, S.E.14
Speedwell Special Investigation Clinic — Speedwell Centre,
Speedwell Street, S.E.8
Downham Special Investigation Clinic — Downham Health Centre,
Churchdown, Downham
Lewisham Special Investigation Clinic — School Treatment Centre,
78 Lewisham Park, S.E.13
Lewisham Audiology Clinic — School Treatment Centre,
78 Lewisham Park, S.E.13
Sydenham Special Investigation Clinic — Children's Hospital, S.E.26
(b) Hospital Clinic:—
Lewisham Hospital—Hearing Investigation Clinic
(c) Special Educational Units:—
Sedgehill Partially Hearing Unit
Brent Knoll School Autistic Unit
(d) Special School:—
Brent Knoll Day Open Air School
Chest Clinics
The Lewisham Care Committee Organiser returned to the department after completing
a two-year full-time course in social work. Reorganisation of the work of the two
Care Committee Organisers resulted in both being based at Lewisham, with attendance
at the Deptford Chest Clinic for three sessions per week. The Lewisham Care
Committee met on six occasions during the year and the Deptford Care Committee
three, when fund raising, grants, holidays and outings were discussed.
Family Casework
49 families with severe social and emotional handicaps received casework help in
1968 when 1,604 home visits/office interviews were undertaken. In the majority the
need was for frequent and prolonged contact and referrals came mainly from case
conferences of field workers because multiple problems were presented. However, an
interesting trend was that there were a few direct referrals from parents and general
practitioners which enabled help to be given at an earlier stage. Amongst families
referred there were a significant number with difficulties stemming from physical and
mental ill health.
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