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41
CHILD GUIDANCE TREATMENT.
The report of the psychiatrist, Dr. P. Holman, on the years'
work at the Centre is as follows:—
This year has been one of normal and steady function of the
centre. The number of children referred was 158, slightly greater
than last year. The principle adopted last year has been maintained.
The educational psychologist has seen all cases presenting
a problem in the schools. She has seen about 320 cases and referred
approximately half of these to us. The proportion referred is thus
considerably greater than last year, but on the other hand, owing
to the pressure of other work, the educational psychologist has
seen fewer cases. In her opinion they have been more urgent
cases than those she saw previously, and further, owing to the
fact that her first year was so concerned with the problem of
backwardness, there have been fewer backward children to occupy
her this year, consequently a higher proportion of problems needing
the attention of the child guidance centre.
Table I. Analysis of Work.
During the year 158 cases were referred and 49 were on the
waiting list from 1946. Of these 207 cases, 52 were still waiting
to be seen at the end of the year. Of the remaining 155 cases,
15 were withdrawn, 29 were discussed by the team and advised
by the psychiatric social worker, and 111 were seen by the psychiatrist
as in need of the full services of the centre. (An increase of
37 over last year.).
Of these 111 children, 46 were discharged after diagnosis and
advice, 11 were sent for special medical investigation, 37 were put
down for treatment, and 17 formed the objects of special recommendations
for change in their environment. (See Table VI).
Of these cases given treatment, 12 were carried from 1946
and 26 were taken on in 1947. (An increase of 12 over the year
before). Of these 38 cases, 17 were discharged "improved" or
"much improved." 2 broke off treatment before we wished to
close the case, in both cases through lack of co-operation on the
part of the parents; 19 cases were still under treatment at the
end of the year.
Centre Staff.
In the report for 1946 it was suggested that the working time
of the staff of the centre ought to be doubled. The increase of
work in the early part of this year abundantly justifies this estimate,
and in November a second psychiatric social worker to the centre
staff and a full time psychologist were appointed, the latter
temporarily, at least, to assist the educational psychologist for