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children completed treatment at special hearing centres during the year, and of this
number 217 again failed the audiometer test and were referred back to aurists for
consideration as to further treatment. All pupils failing to keep appointments at
these centres were "followed-up" and new appointments made for them.
It is hoped to extend the arrangements for testing by gramophone and puretone
audiometers to all nine divisions.
Problem children
The Council's scheme, established in 1944, to co-ordinate the special children's
case work was continued in 1948. Particulars of all school children presenting
difficulties in behaviour or of educability are referred to a case conference of senior
officers of the Education Officer's and School Medical Officer's departments, in each
of the nine divisions into which London is divided for education (and since 5th July,
1948, also for school health) purposes.
All cases referred by the conferences for specialist medical examination or for
child guidance are submitted to the School Medical Officer.
Prior to 5th July, 1948, cases officially referred by the School Medical Officer to
voluntary child guidance clinics were paid for at the rate of £7 10s. for each child and
progress reports were called for at the end of each term. After that date all such
treatment was provided free of charge by the hospitals concerned, under the National
Health Service Act, and progress reports were submitted at the discretion of the
hospitals.
The number of children referred to case conferences during the year 1947-48
was 1,413. These cases were disposed of as follows: 1,009 were referred for child
guidance, 27 for attendance enforcement, 50 for medical treatment, 72 to special
classes, 14 for boarding education, 10 for foster homes, 52 for ascertainment for
maladjustment, 93 for statutory examination to ascertain whether educationally
sub-normal and 194 for other forms of educational treatment. The total of 1,413 is
less than the total of the analysis as some children fall into more than one group.
Progress in dealing with current and previous cases was: 501 no longer
considered to be "problems," 69 were in residential accommodation, 62 were on the
waiting list for such accommodation, 598 were under treatment at child guidance
clinics, 206 were on the waiting list to attend the clinics, and 636 had been otherwise
dealt with.
At the end of the year five successful classes under specially experienced teachers
had been organised for backward children who also presented some form of
maladjustment.
During the year Peckham Residential Special School was opened to accommodate
42 boys, most of whom attend local schools; some of the younger children are
educated on the premises. Maladjusted girls are accommodated at Norwood
Children's Home (maladjusted unit) which has 25 children. 97 maladjusted children
were in residence at schools belonging to the Council other than at Peckham and
Norwood, or in non-Council schools or hostels or boarded out with foster parents.
At the end of the year, the Council was responsible for child guidance clinics at
Bishop Creighton House and Putney Health Centre. All other child guidance
facilities in London were under the control of the Regional Hospital Boards or the
Governors of Teaching Hospitals. A survey of facilities for child guidance treatment
in the County was undertaken during the year and the question of providing
additional facilities was actively pursued. Difficulty in this connection was encountered
by reason of the division of responsibility between local education