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Social Work (Health Services)
The Social Work Section (Health Services) is concerned with:—
(a) social work arising out of school and hospital clinics and
(b) intensive casework with families with multiple problems.
The Social Workers concerned with the School Health Service are jointly appointed
by the Inner London Education Authority and The London Borough of Southwark, and
have a responsibility for special investigation clinics, audiology clinics, selected eye
clinics and selected clinics at Guy's Hospital.
At special investigation clinics, children are seen who suffer from enuresis, obesity
and minor behaviour problems. The social workers make contact with the homes and
work with the clinic doctor in dealing with the total family situation where this is
appropriate. The work may be of a short or long term nature depending upon the problem
and needs of the family.
At audiology clinics, the social worker is one of the team consisting of the otologist,
school nurse and social worker. Close contact is maintained with the peripatetic teacher
of the deaf and staff of the schools for the deaf and partially hearing. The social workers
have continued to give support to the families of deaf children including those where the
child is at boarding school.
At Guy's Hospital a full-time senior social worker continued to maintain close
liaison and advised on all local authority service available for the school child and the
handicapped pre-school child.
During the year members of the staff attended various conferences and day
conferences and day courses and student social workers from the London School of
Economics and the School Care Committee Service have been received in the Department
for training.
School Roll (May) 49,020
Medical Inspections
Sessions attended by Medical Officer
Ordinary Schools 1,439½
E.S.N. Schools 226
School Journey Medicals 81½
Examinations
Routine examinations at ages 5, 7 11 & during last year at school:— 18,567
Non-routine examinations 12,232
Examinations to ascertain fitness for employment 497
Statutory Examinations
Children examined under Sections 34 & 57 of the Education Act 1944:— 138
As a result of these examinations the following recommendations were made:—
Admissions to boarding E.S.N. Schools 1
Admissions to Day E.S.N. Schools 84
To remain at ordinary school with special educational help 45
Admission to Junior Training Schools 3
Referred to The Medical Adviser I.L.E.A. for reassessment 3
Decision deferred 2
94