View report page

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, mobilising inter-disciplinary resources,
and liaising with other statutory and voluntary agencies.
School Health Social Work Service
During the year the development of this service continued and in co-operation with
social workers jointly employed by other London boroughs and the Inner London
Education Authority, working parties were set up to evaluate and clarify the function
of school health social workers. The result showed a need to provide individual
and family casework for children showing early emotional problems or suffering
from enuresis or obesity attending special investigation clinics. An interesting
experiment, in which a medical social worker participated with a doctor, was undertaken;
this involved setting up a discussion group for mothers of children attending
the Amersham Road Special Investigation Clinic. Similar help was also needed
for children attending special schools and units, as a wide range of problems were
presented. Collaboration with the School Care Service and other agencies was
maintained.
It was also possible during the year to look at the needs of physically handicapped
children and those thought to be suffering from epilepsy. An increasing number
of requests were made by the medical adviser, I.L.E.A., for special reports when
children were being considered for boarding school placement.