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St. Joseph's Special School 1
Meldreth School 2
Ravenswood Foundation 2
Rudolf Steiner Schools 2
Other approved accommodation 21
57
Mental Health Forum
A most valuable forum was held in July, at which representatives
of many statutory and voluntary agencies were present, and at
which the main subject of discussion was the role of the voluntary
worker with the mentally handicapped.
After introductory speeches by Miss Julia, the Principal Mental
Welfare Officer, on "The Need to Expand the Council's Services
with Voluntary Help" and Mrs. Charlish, the Chairman of the
Wandsworth Society for Handicapped Children, on "Opportunities
in Clubs run by Volunteers four groups were formed to discuss
the underlying needs for voluntary help and ways in which the
needs could be met. The groups reported back to the main forum
and their conclusions will form the basis of future plans for this
important section of community care.
STAFF TRAINING AND STUDENT TRAINING
A member of the staff has completed her second year at the
Certificate in Social Work course at Chiswick Polytechnic. A
teacher from Wandsworth Training School decided to stay on for
a further optional year to complete a diploma course, and another
member of staff has been seconded to Chiswick. We have continued
to make full use of the varied short courses provided by the
London Boroughs' Training Committee and other organisations.
The qualifications of social workers in the Mental Health team
at the end of 1970 were as follows:—
Psychiatric Social Workers 12
Certificate in Social Work 7
Social Science Degree or Diploma 1
Qualified Mental Nurse 1
Student training
The mental health section of the Health Department is
used not only by Universities and Colleges for the teaching of
social work and nursing training but also by overseas visitors sent
to the section by the Department of Health and Social Security
and by other organisations.