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Staff Training
In September one social worker returned to the Department from secondment
to a one-year professional course for mature experienced workers; two social workers
embarked on their second year of their professional course and two began their
first year. All will be awarded, on successful completion of their studies, the Certificate
in Social Work. One social worker was seconded to a one-year post-graduate
course to qualify as a psychiatric social worker. In all, at the end of the year, five
staff were engaged in full-time studies and when qualified the Mental Health Section
will have a total of 15 fully-trained social workers out of a total of 21.
In-Service Training
Social workers, training and day centre staff have participated in day conferences,
day release courses and seminars organised by the London Boroughs' Training
Committee. The social worker specialising in alcoholism and drug addiction attended
the Third International Conference on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction at Cardiff
in 1970.
Towards the end of the year attention was focused on preparing staff for the
transfer of junior training centres to Inner London Education Authority and the
integration of the remainder of the Mental Health Service with the new Social
Services Department. An in-service training scheme was devised, aimed at giving
social workers an insight into the work of other departments. In addition, a threemonth
exchange was arranged between one mental health social worker and one
child care officer. This was a valuable learning experience for the officers concerned
and also for their respective departments.
Students
The section has continued to play a part in the professional training of social
workers and teachers of the mentally handicapped. Throughout the year students
from various centres of education have worked in the establishments of the section.
Close contact between student supervisors in the Mental Health Section and tutors
on the courses has enabled the department to keep in touch with new developments
and changing professional techniques.
In addition to long-term student placements, there have been many one-day
visits to the section by student nurses, health visitors and parties of student psychiatric
nurses. Teachers and social science students have also been among our visitors.
MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
A mental health service functions adequately only when in contact with the community
it serves.
Because of public feeling towards mental illness and mental handicap, the service
must, where necessary, offer community support and educational programmes to
allay fears and promote tolerance and understanding.
During Mental Health Week, June 1970, the mental health establishments were
open to the public, but few took advantage of the opportunity, in spite of press
publicity.
A great deal was achieved by talking to local groups on various aspects of the
section's work and during the year there has been considerable demand for speakers.
At various schools and colleges within the Borough 16 sessions have been devoted
to talks on the use and abuse of drugs and alcoholism.
Links with Voluntary Organisations
Contacts have been maintained with the Lewisham Society for Mentally Handicapped
Children, Friends of Honor Lea, Lewisham Association for Mental Health and
Task Force. The Department gratefully acknowledges the contributions they have
made to the community care of the mentally handicapped and the mentally ill in
Lewisham.
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