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Hostels for the Mentally III
At 31st December 1966 22 Haringey patients were living in hostels run by other local authorities or
voluntary organisations, and two were awaiting admission. It is always difficult for the patient coming
out of hospital to find lodgings and we would like to hear from any helpful landladies.
Services for the Mentally Subnormal
The Hornsey Centre for Handicapped Children continues to provide facilities for Haringey children
and it is hoped that in the early part of 1967 the full complement of mentally and physically afflicted
children, which amount to twenty youngsters, will be in attendance.
The Principal Medical Officer who attends these children whilst at the Centre reports that except
for the severely affected mentally and physically handicapped children, great improvements have been
brought about in the behaviour and habits of most of these youngsters.
Hostels for the Mentally Subnormal
It was originally envisaged that a 16-place hostel for subnormal males would be opened during this
year. It is now anticipated that this hostel will beopened in the Spring of 1968. At the time of preparing
this report work had in fact commenced on this project. Future provision will need to be made for hostels
to accommodate mentally subnormal people of both sexes.
Adult Training Centre
Thisproject will now be opening in the Spring of 1968 to include a laundry and a workshop. Until
this, the London Borough of Enfield is providing placements for trainees at the Edmonton Adult Training
Centre. At 31st December 1966, there were 72 in attendance and thirteen on the waiting list, which
underlines the need for our own adult training centre.
Junior Training School
I am pleased to report that a site has been secured on the Broadwater Farm Estate, Tottenham, for a
proposed junior training school and that work should commence during the financial year 1968/69. This
school will accommodate in all, 129 children and there will be placements for 24 special care cases.
There will also be two nursery classes for 24 children. This school is being built as part of a complex
whichwill includea junior and primary school that will share a communal main kitchen. In the meantime
the London Boroughs of Enfield and Barnet continue to provide placements for Haringey children at their
respective junior training schools. At Enfield there were at the end of the year 40 Haringey children
with a further 17 on the waiting list, and at Barnet there were 24 Haringey children with 23 on the waiting
list.
Residential Accommodation for Long Term Subnormal Patients
In all during the year 34 patients were maintained by this Authority in residential homes. Forthe
most part they reside in the Brighton and Hove area where many are boarded out by the Guardianship
Society in private households. No new compulsory Guardianship placements have been instituted since
the inception of this Borough.
Social Clubs
There are in being three Clubs catering for the mentally subnormal children. During the year
"Roundabout Club" moved into new accommodation at the Muswell Hill Centre for Handicapped Children;
this club is perhaps the largest of the three. The Haringey East Society for Mentally Handicapped Children,
who are responsible for the "Golden Gate" Club, havealso moved into other premises as it was found that
the Art Centre, Lordship Lane, was unsuitable for their requirements. The "Doddy" Club for the
educationally subnormal children has widened its admission to take in youngsters of a lower grade.
Holiday Camp for Mentally Subnormal Children
This Authority undertook to arrange a holiday camp for mentally handicapped children. This camp
was held at Suntrap Residential School, Hayling Island; the camp accommodated 32 children for this
occasion and it was highly successful. The comments from the parents on the return of the children
were very favourable. We are indeed fortunate to have this extremely suitable establishment belonging
to this Authority, and I should like to thank the Chief Education Officer and Miss Stout and her staff at
Hayling Islandforall they did to make this year's camp so successful. Plans are already well advanced
for a similar camp, this time for a larger number of children, to take place during the summer of 1967.
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