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Two social workers deal specifically with the problems of immigrants. Many of these have reached
the stage where they can no longer truly be called immigrants, but because of skin colour many of
their problems remain. However, many of the tensions which existed in the past have eased,
undoubtedly due to the amount of effort which has been made nationally and locally.
CO-ORDINATION
The Co-ordinating Committee consists of representatives from the City Council's Health,
Children's, Welfare & Housing Departments; the Inner London Education Authority and the Greater
London Council Housing Department. The Chairman is the Medical Officer of Health, the ViceChairman
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.
Case conferences concerning individual families are held at the request of any social worker or
agency interested in the family. At such meetings, field workers in the various departments, and any
organisations involved, have the opportunity of discussing ways in which the difficulties in the
family situation may be met. During the year 33 case conferences were held at which 107 families were
discussed.
MENTAL HEALTH
When in 1965 the City of Westminster assumed responsibility for the community mental health
services, it was recognised that this was an expanding service, but it is doubtful whether anyone
envisaged the demands which would be made by 1969. At first the demands were mainly related to
persons showing obvious symptoms of mental disorder which caused serious disruption to their
families and neighbours. The social support provided for the mentally ill in their own homes has,
however, resulted in an increasing number of referrals to the mental health section from or on behalf
of sick but inadequate and inoffensive patients.
In the March quarter of 1965 51 patients were taken into community care, whereas in the corresponding
quarter of 1969 the number was 118. These numbers impose a considerable burden on the
social worker staff and the City Council increased its establishment of mental health social workers
from 14 in 1965 to 17 in 1969; a further increase in establishment is planned in 1970-71.
The year 1969 saw the City's mental health service taking its first step towards independence in
respect of training services. The junior training school at Ebury Bridge Road was opened in September.
The premises have been adapted most successfully at a comparatively modest cost. The head teacher
and her staff are enthusiastic and have in a very short time created an integrated and happy group of
children who are already showing the benefit of the skilled training they are receiving. The school
will accommodate 30 children ; by December 1969 14 were attending and it is expected that all the
places will be filled in 1970.
Also in September 1969, a new day centre for older girls and women was established at St. Jude's
Hostel, which also provides residential accommodation for young men and male adults. Before establishing
the day training centre a successful meeting was held with the girls' parents who accepted
with enthusiasm the suggestion to use local premises instead of sending the girls to centres in
surrounding boroughs, as had been done.Thanks to the good sense and adaptability of the centre
supervisor, none of the difficulties so often attendant on shared accommodation have arisen and a
most successful day centre has been established. Provision was made for 20 girls, and by December
1969 19 were attending and the last place had been allocated.
There are inevitably some trainees for whom no provision yet exists in the City; some, although the
responsibility of the City, live elsewhere and attend centres nearer their homes, while others, by
reason of age or sex are not yet catered for within the City's environs.