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involved in the problem could be present at a seminar at which members of the City Council and all
the Departments concerned would be present. This seminar took place in September and was
attended by a very representative number of people. The result of the seminar was published for
circulation to those concerned and enquiries are going on at present as to ways in which certain
proposals may be implemented. As a result of this project many requests for help with the problems
of individual unsupported mothers have been referred to the social worker concerned. Some
of these have been referred to other agencies and others have been dealt with in this Department.
There have been so many referrals recently that another member of the staff is assisting in this work
on a part time basis. It is evident that although in some cases the client needs limited help for a short
time only, in many instances she requires practical help and casework support over a long period
and needs to feel she can return if difficulties arise later.
The second project undertaken by another social worker was to investigate Drug Dependency
among young people in the City. The aims of the survey were as follows:—
(1) To find out by discussions with those in touch with young people in Westminster whether
they had problems in this field.
(2) To discuss with individuals and organisations already working in the field the contribution
they were making. These organisations are situated all over London and the Home
Counties.
(3) To reach some conclusions from these interviews regarding the following:—
(a) The extent of the problem in Westminster.
(b) To consider what gaps exist in the provision at present made, and to explore the
possible ways in which the local authority might help.
During the course of the enquiry the social worker interviewed most of the Head Teachers of
Secondary Schools in Westminster and also many Youth Club Leaders. In addition she had
discussions with representatives of many voluntary organisations interested in the problem.
A report is to be submitted to the Health Committee on 1st January, 1968, concerning this
subject, and will be dealt with more fully in the next Annual Report.
In a Department carrying out a wide range of social services it is essential that the staff are suitably
trained and kept up-to-date with social legislation. It is also important that they should be
encouraged to undertake further professional training. The social worker who was seconded in
1966 for one year's professional course at the London School of Economics returned in 1967 as a
psychiatric social worker and her additional training has proved of very real value to the Department.
Two other members of the staff have applied for professional training in the ensuing year.
Throughout the year social workers have attended seminars and conferences in various subjects
connected with their work. Much benefit was also derived from the London Boroughs' Training
Committee programme of activities.
There is an increasing number of requests for the Department to take students from Universities
and Colleges of Further Education for their practical training. They come for periods ranging from
two weeks to five months. Although student supervision is very time consuming and demanding it
is on the other hand gratifying to realise that Departments of social work training throughout the
country are constantly asking us to help in this way. Many of the students comment on the diversity
of the problems dealt with by this section of the Health Department and it is understood that they
find their placements of considerable value.
CO-ORDINATION
The Co-ordinating Committee consists of representatives from the City Council's Health,
Children's, Welfare and Housing Departments; the Inner London Education Authority and the
Greater London Council Housing Department. The Chairman is the Medical Officer of Health,
the Vice-Chairman is the Children's Officer and the Secretary is the Principal Social Worker
(Health Services).
The Committee considers matters of policy and principle and reviews arrangements for ensuring
co-operation and co-ordination between the City Council's Departments and statutory and
voluntary agencies.
Subjects discussed by the Committee during the year have included Homeless Families, Drug
Addiction, Unsupported Mothers and Handicapped Children.
Case conferences concerning individual families are held at the request of any social worker
or agency interested in the family. During 1967 34 case conferences were held at which 100
families were discussed.