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Bush School, Standlake, Oxon, has been a valuable addition to
our resources. This school takes severe cases and provides treatment.
It is, in effect, a residential clinic for cases who cannot
be treated in their own homes, and the period of treatment is
relatively short. Even so, there are very few vacancies for any
given area of the County, and there are always many more waiting
than can be accommodated. This school also takes children of
primary school age.
Children of Secondary School Age.
For children in this group the provision has somewhat improved
for those of high intelligence. In addition to the schools for
maladjusted children on the Ministry's list the Centre has been
able to make use of a certain number of independent schools
under Section 9 (a) of the Education Act. There is a distinct
limitation, as many independent schools will not take children
presenting severe problems, or from homes whose educational and
cultural standards are very different from those of their other
pupils. Thus it is the children most in need who are the most
difficult to place, and there is almost no provision for children
from Secondary Modern Schools, particularly if they are at all
backward. There is a crying need for the development of schools
and hostels for maladjusted children in this group.
Co-operation with other Departments.
Reference has already been,made to the co-operation with the
Education Department that has been possible through our close
relationship with the Educational Psychologist. Friendly relations
with all the schools in the area have continued, and thanks should
be expressed to the Head Teachers and Class Teachers for the invaluable
help that they have given in dealing with difficult
problems.
During the year the Centre was particularly fortunate in its
relationship with the Children's Department. Many maladjusted
children are also deprived and it would be obvious that both the
Children's Department and Child Guidance Centre are concerned
in dealing with their referral. Miss Brazier, the Area Children's
Officer, has always been found helpful and ready to put the services
of her department at our disposal. The contact with this
Department has been most valuable, and the Centre is much indebted
to them for all they have done.