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One of the members of the staff has a special responsibility for the needs of handicapped children and
she has been able to develop this work during the year. It is felt very strongly that many parents need
support in adjusting to the reality of having a handicapped child. The social worker was in touch with 11
families at the end of 1971, and made 80 home visits. There were 7 interviews with clients at City Hall.
In connection with the social work undertaken for children who are deaf or partially hearing, the social
worker concerned made 28 visits during the year to the child's home or school, in addition to her regular
attendance at the audiology clinic. As with other types of handicaps it has been found that parents
appreciate the interest that is taken in their children. The number of attendances at the local audiology
clinic was 320.
In all their duties the school health social workers co-operate very closely with the Education Welfare
Officers and the voluntary school care workers, as well as with other statutory and voluntary agencies.
There are three social workers concerned with the care of old people, many of whom are frail and
housebound and require intensive supervision. They arrange for the visits of home helps and district nurses
and ask for the assistance of public health inspectors in relation to tenants in unsatisfactory housing
accommodation. They also arrange for the loan of nursing equipment where necessary. Special attention is
given to old people who move into accommodation in the City so that all the relevant services are alerted in
order to ensure that they settle down as easily as possible. Every effort is made to keep the old people in
the community if this is their wish and every encouragement is given to them to make full use of the wide
range of services available to them. With the increasing proportion of old people in the community, the
importance of adequate social services for them cannot be too highly stressed. There is close co-operation
with general practitioners and hospital staff and statutory agencies as well as with the City of Westminster
Old People's Welfare Association and other voluntary organisations. In 1971 there were 315 new referrals;
the case load at the end of the year was 697. There were 5776 home visits and 100 interviews in the office.
Six social workers are employed at three hospitals which have special clinics for the treatment of
venereal diseases. They trace contacts and follow up defaulters and persuade them to attend for
examination and possible treatment. In difficult cases an endless amount of persuasion, health education,
tact and perseverance is required. It is essential that a good relationship is formed with the patients who are
frequently frightened and distressed and are suspicious of any efforts being made to help them. The social
workers report that they have been dealing with an increasing variety of problems both from a practical and
case work point of view. Help of a practical nature is given such as arranging accommodation, obtaining
financial assistance and arranging referrals to appropriate agencies. Many patients do not feel able to discuss
their difficulties outside the hospital setting and the Venereologist and/or the social worker is often the
only person to whom the patient feels free to talk. During 1971 the social workers interviewed 5552
patients in the clinics and made 1773 home visits.
CO-ORDINATION
Since April, 1971, co-ordinating case conferences have been held in the same manner as in previous
years, with the exception that the Chairman is now the Principal Social Services Officer (Social Services
Department). The Secretary is still the Principal Social Worker in the Health Department and her duties
include co-operation and co-ordination between the relevant statutory and voluntary agencies. During the
year 31 case conferences were held at which 116 families were discussed.
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE
Section 30 of the London Government Act 1963 places the responsibility of providing a school health
service upon the Inner London Education Authority; the day-to-day operation of the service in Westminster
is my concern as Principal School Medical Officer. Arrangements were made under provisions in the Act for
the joint use by the City Council and the Authority of professional and clerical staff and of premises. The
following report to the Inner London Education Authority was submitted in respect of the school health
service for the year 1971: