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In July a party of 20 children, accompanied by teaching staff and one social worker,
went to St. Mary's Bay, Dymchurch, for a two-week holiday. The age group catered
for was five to seven years. Most of the children required help with toileting and
dressing, and needed constant supervision. This was a strenuous undertaking for
the staff, who were on call day and night, but all agreed that it was most rewarding.
Intermediate Centre.—A new venture this year was the setting up of a twenty-place
centre for mentally handicapped young people, age 14-16 years. This centre is
housed temporarily at the Methodist Church Hall, Kitto Road, S.E.14, but in spite
of the disadvantages of shared accommodation, an interesting and stimulating
programme of activities has been developed. This centre is the only one of its kind
in the London area. It was planned to provide more scope for the older child,
opportunities for broadening his outlook and experience through a programme of
social training projects, which will include ventures out in the community, but at
the same time maintaining basic educational work in the curriculum. Since the
centre opened, one well-attended parents' evening has been held, also a Christmas
concert.
Transfer of Responsibility for Training Severely Sub-Normal
Pupils of School Age to the Inner London Education Authority
With effect from 1st April, 1971, the Inner London Education Authority will be
responsible for the training of severely sub-normal pupils of school age. During the
latter part of the year the Department has co-operated closely with the Inner London
Education Authority to make certain that the eventual transfer is effected as smoothly
as possible.
Teaching staff of the junior and intermediate centres have met at County Hall to
discuss problems and points of interest, and the supervisors of both centres have
been kept informed of all questions posed by the Inner London Education Authority.
The Inner London Education Authority has expressed its appreciation of this
Council's efforts on its behalf.
Adult Training Centres
During the year the two adult training centres have merged under one roof at
Deptford Central Methodist Mission, Creek Road, S.E.8. There are 90 men and
women attending. Social training, physical education and woodwork are some of
the features of the daily routine and suitable industrial work is always being sought.
This year the Department was extremely fortunate in that after lengthy negotiations
with the Lewisham Group Hospital Management Committee, a contract was
obtained whereby the Mental Health Section would carry out industrial work at
their various centres for the Area Central Sterile Supply Service, Hither Green, which
will, in turn, supply the various hospitals within the group with the finished product.
The contract is considered ideal for the adult training centre. Payment for the work
is distributed among all trainees attending the centres and it is hoped that this
contract will form the nucleus of the industrial work programme when the adult
trainees move to Leemore, the new purpose-built adult training centre, in the summer
of 1971.
All-London Annual Seaside Holiday
Twenty-two adults and 21 juniors accompanied by members of staff went on a twoweek
holiday to St. Mary's Bay, Dymchurch, in May 1970. This holiday is organised
each year by the London Borough of Hammersmith on behalf of the Inner London
Boroughs.
Short-Term Care
Short-term care to provide relief for their families was offered to 44 children and
30 adults. Eighteen of these were placed within the National Health Service, the
remainder in approved registered homes with fees met by the Council.
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