View report page

the year 505 persons (compared with 580 in 1962) were placed under these arrangements,
which helped to relieve the strain of home care by parents and relatives, for periods normally
not exceeding eight weeks.
Alcoholic rehabilitation centre—There was a new development at St. Luke's House,
Lambeth, the alcoholic rehabilitation centre maintained by the West London Mission with
a contribution by the Council of 90 per cent. of approved costs; St. Mary's House, an
extension of the existing male hostel (40 beds), was opened in August to provide accommodation
for 12 female alcoholics. During the year 180 men were resident in the hostel
accommodation.
Pre-release preparation of prisoners—In October a 90 per cent. grant was authorised
towards the salary of a social worker employed by the Royal London Discharged Prisoners
Aid Society on the pre-release preparation of prisoners in Wandsworth Prison who were
alcoholics.
Recuperative holidays for psychiatric patients—Recuperative holidays of two to three
weeks were arranged for 141 persons recovering from psychiatric illness compared with
125 in 1962.
Community care
The increase in the establishment of mental health social workers by some 35 per cent.
enabled the rate of recruitment to be speeded up and the number of social workers rose
from 102 to 112 (whole-time equivalent). Changes of staff and absences of officers on
courses has, however, meant that the development of this service had to be steady rather
than sudden.
There were 7,740 persons receiving community care at the end of 1963, compared with
7,241 for the previous year. The total number of mentally disordered persons referred to
mental health social workers was 8,892. Liaison with psychiatric hospitals was sustained
and strengthened by the further developments of the day hospitals and by the attendance of
mental health staff at outpatients departments and case conferences at the hospitals.
Guardianship—During the year two persons were admitted to and 12 ceased to be in the
guardianship of the Council. At the end of 1963 the total number under guardianship of
the Council was 29 (39 in 1962).
Staff training
Seven social workers in the mental health service were granted special leave on full pay
to begin full-time training in the autumn; four to study for the National Certificate on
one- or two-year courses and three for mental health certificates. In addition, one senior
mental health social worker was granted leave on half-pay to take a course in social case
work at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Four officers were given time off
and financial assistance to attend part-time social work courses organised by Middlesex
County Council. Four officers returned to duty after completing full-time courses.
The number of training centre staff seconded on one-year full-time courses arranged by
the National Association for Mental Health increased to six, five assistant supervisors
taking the diploma course for teachers of the mentally handicapped and one the diploma
course held in Birmingham for staff of adult centres. Two officers returned to duty after
completing courses.
The Institute of Psychiatry arranged a post-graduate course in mental health for deputy
divisional medical officers and some medical officers at the Maudsley hospital; 27 doctors
employed by the Council attended the course.
71