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MENTAL SUBNORMALITY
Advisory and Diagnostic Services
These include sessions held by the Principal Medical Officer and special occasional sessions by
a consultant psychiatrist. Evening discussions with parents and home visits by medical officers are
also valuable. The mental health social workers have their part to play, and the day nurseries and
play groups admit some of the very young mentally handicapped children which relieves the strain on
those who would normally look after them during the day.
Junior Training Schools.
There are at present no junior training schools in the borough although a site has been agreed for
the future building of Ealing's own junior training school. At present we have to thank the four
neighbouring boroughs of Hounslow, Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent who accommodated for us 88
children during the year.
Adult Training Centre
There is one adult training centre in the borough at Jubilee Gardens, Southall, which provides
suitable work for 60 trainees.
Liaison with the Further Education Section of the Education Department has enabled us to develop
suitable individual programmes for each trainee. Needlework is also available, if appropriate. 39
trainees were placed at centres in neighbouring boroughs, and in addition holidays were arranged for
37 trainees.
Residential Accommodation
Three patients are at present accommodated in other local authority hostels. The Council's own
25 place hostel now nearing completion on the Brenthill Nursery site will be ready for occupation
early in 1969. It will accommodate men and women who are able to work in outside employment or
attend Adult Training Centres.
Hospitals
The borough is entirely within the catchment area of Leavesden Hospital at Abbots Langley, near
Watford, which accommodates both severely subnormal children and adults. During the year 25
patients were admitted informally.
There is a long waiting list for permanent care. Short term admission is easier to obtain and
provides a measure of relief for some families.
Voluntary Organisations.
The Ealing Society for Mentally Handicapped Children has a wide range of activities and
conducts a youth centre on land provided by the Council.
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