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alterations in the normal school time-table; such success as has been obtained has been,
in no small measure, due to their understanding and skill.
Children who are considered to be in need of these special exercises are selected by
school doctors and are fitted in as and when classes can be arranged.
Decisions on the length of time for which treatment should be continued are made
periodically by the divisional medical staff, in the light of progress made.
Incidentally, it is the opinion of the consultant that an essential feature of treatment
by means of these exercises is that they must be given regularly, preferably daily, but
certainly not less than four days a week ; little benefit is likely to be derived from
exercises given at less frequent intervals.
All classes are visited periodically by Dr. Doris Baker who, in 1951, was appointed
the Council's Consultant for postural defect work. Inspectors from the College of
Physical Education have also given such help and encouragement from time to time as
their other duties have permitted.
With a view to developing and helping these classes still further, the Council agreed
to the appointment of two specially qualified and experienced instructors in remedial
exercises, working in the public health department. They took up their appointments
in January, 1956, and their duties comprised visiting the schools where remedial classes
were being held, and attempting to organise new classes in primary schools wherever
there is a need.
By the end of 1956 classes were being held in 105 schools, an increase of 50 per cent,
over the previous year.
Divisional
case
conferences
Psychiatry
In each of the nine divisions, a case conference is held regularly to consider problem
children. Each conference consists of the education district inspector, the divisional
medical officer, the education divisional officer and the district organiser of children's
care work (education) and, whenever possible, an educational psychologist attends and
headteachers are invited for discussion of children from their schools.
During the year, the conferences dealt with a total of 3,802 cases, of which 1,808 were
new cases. Of these new cases, 1,377 were referred to child guidance clinics.
Child
guidance
Pressure of work at the Council s four child guidance units continued to be heavy
and, on occasion, it was even necessary for a short time to close the waiting list at one of
them. Long waiting lists arc most undesirable since they involve a real risk of deterioration
in the condition of the child before treatment can begin. Towards the end of the
year, therefore, plans began to be formulated for the expansion of the child guidance
facilities in the County and it is hoped that it will be possible to report the results in 1957.
There were several changes of staff at the units but the filling of vacancies generally
proved comparatively easy and work was not seriously hampered thereby.