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SECTION III — SOCIAL SERVICES
In April of this year, the Authority became responsible for all
aspects of Health and Welfare, including mental health, general
welfare provisions, and general social and family case-work.
The opportunity for providing an integrated, social work service
presented a great challenge, bringing together as it did a variety
of disciplines with a blend of experienced and qualified staff.
The aim is to provide help of the appropriate kind by and
through the appropriate social worker, whether mental welfare or
social welfare officer.
It is eventually intended to provide a fully integrated service,
but this will not be fully possible until all the staff have the now
essential social work qualification. It is to this aspect of the department's
development that much of the time has been given.
Many hours have been spent on discussion within the department
by the leaders of the team under the general direction of the Deputy
Medical Officer of Health.
The policy is to appoint as full welfare officers only those
already with social work qualifications.
At the 1st April, 1965, the following qualifications were held
by members of the staff :
1 Applied Social Studies Certificate
1 Mental Health Certificate
5 Recognition of Experience Certificates of the
Council for Social Work Training
1 Occupational Therapy Certificate
2 Home Teacher for the Blind Certificate
1 Diploma in Sociology
One Welfare Assistant was already on a two-year full-time
Certificate in Social Work Course, and another began a similar
course during the year. A Social Welfare Officer started a dayrelease
year's course leading to the Home Teacher for the Blind
Certificate.
Deployment of Senior and Fieldwork Staff
Although the policy is to provide an all-purpose social service,
because of the variety of officers it was decided to keep the fieldwork
staff in the same sections as before 1st April, 1965, to provide
continuity of service where possible. Those who had been carrying
out work as mental welfare officers before 1st April, 1965, therefore
remained under the Senior Psychiatric Social Worker. The social
welfare officers, until a senior social welfare officer took up duties,
were directed by the Principal Welfare Officer. As more qualified
staff are appointed, full integration will be more practicable.
The work was carried out in four ways : (a) through home or
office interviews by welfare officers, (b) provision of an emergency
service, (c) daily care in establishments run by the Department, and
(d) through classes, discussion groups, clubs and other gatherings
which brought people together under the guidance of members
of the staff.
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