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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 three neighbouring boroughs of Hounslow, Hillingdon and Harrow who
accommodated for us 83 children during the year.
Adult Training Centre
There is an adult training centre in the borough at Jubilee Gardens, Southall, which
provides suitable work for 60 trainees. An annexe situated in Perivale Lane to
accommodate 23 trainees was opened in July of this year. This annexe, although not in
ideal surroundings, nevertheless provides valuable training for those for whom no other
facility is available.
Liaison with the Further Education Section of the Education Department has enabled
us to develop suitable individual programmes for each trainee. 38 trainees were
placed at centres in neighbouring boroughs, and in addition holidays were arranged for
36 trainees.
Residential Accommodation
Three children are at present accommodated in other local authority hostels. The
Council's own 25 place hostel was opened in June of this year. It accommodates men and
women who are able to work in outside employment or attend Adult Training Centres.
Hosnitals
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 13 patients were admitted informally.
There is a short 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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