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61
SOCIAL WORK (PERSONAL HEALTH)
Miss I. J. McFarlane, M.A.,
Principal Social Worker
Under the Local Authority Social Services Act, 1970, certain social work functions previously
undertaken by the Health Department were transferred on 1st April 1971 to the newly formed Social
Services Department. Notwithstanding these changes, some social workers remained in this section of the
Health Department. The School Health Social Workers, the social workers responsible for tracing contacts
of venereal disease and the social workers who work with elderly persons with special emphasis on health
aspects, continue to work in the Health Department under the Principal Social Worker (Health Services).
Much of the time of the Principal Social Worker was spent during 1971 in acting as a liaison officer between
the two departments.
In addition to the social work functions carried out by the above members of the Health Department
staff, visits for assessment are often needed by members of the medical staff. Frequently, urgent case work
help may be needed which cannot be provided by the Social Services Department. In the City of
Westminster there are many voluntary bodies in which the Health Department has always had the closest
co-operation. This important link is being maintained by the Principal Social Worker as also is the vital
co-ordination between the school medical service and the education welfare service.
In reviewing the work undertaken during 1971 the social workers in the Health Department comment on
the increasing complexity of problems with which they deal. It is essential that they are kept up-to-date
with social legislation and with relevant developments as they are often asked for general advice and
information. In some cases they assist people to use the services to which they are entitled by right. In
other cases, however, the people who ask for help are experiencing serious personal problems and in need of
long-term support.
During the year members of the staff attended various seminars and conferences and much benefit has
been derived from the London Boroughs' Training Committee programme of activities.
Requests have been received from Universities and Colleges for Further Education to take students for
practical training periods of up to two months.
In connection with the work at Special Investigation Clinics an interesting development took place
during the year when regular weekly seminars were introduced, led by the Council's Psychiatrist. There are
now six of these clinics, each of which is run by a team consisting of a medical officer and a social worker.
These teams meet together for group discussion and are sometimes joined by colleagues from other
departments, e.g. Educational Psychologists, Psychiatric Social Workers, Education Welfare Officers, etc. At
these seminars much useful discussion takes place concerning the treatment of cases and ways in which the
medical and social worker staff can develop the work. There has been an expansion in the number of these
clinics and there is no doubt of their value. The numbers attending are deliberately kept small in order that
adequate time may be allocated to each parent and child. Some children may later need the support of
child guidance clinics whereas others may have temporary difficulties and they can be given support during
a period of anxiety. Children attend for help in connection with enuresis and obesity and failure to make
satisfactory physical and educational progress. A considerable number are referred because of emotional
and minor behaviour problems. These conditions are often associated with disturbed home backgrounds
and sometimes it is necessary for the social worker to provide help and support over a considerable period.
The social worker co-operates with the medical officer in the treatment of the child's condition by working
with the whole family towards the solution of the practical and emotional problems. It is found that
families are often more constructively helped if referral is made at the earliest signs of breakdown and the
importance of early detection of such families who are "at risk" cannot be over-emphasised. In 1971 there
were 146 new referrals and 799 attendances were made at 232 sessions. There were 705 home visits and 58
interviews with clients at City Hall.
It sometimes happens that the presenting problem at the time of referral may clear up after a
comparatively short time but the social worker continues to be involved in case work with the family. The
number of such cases at the end of the year was 46, and 464 home visits were made. There were 94
interviews with clients at City Hall. (These numbers include certain cases referred for specialised help which
are not connected with Special Investigation Clinics.)