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Security. These showed the numbers of social workers employed
in September 1969 in proportion to population. 30 of the 32 London
Boroughs had more social workers per population than Havering
—11 had at least twice as many — and only one Borough was
worse off. Yet the reputation of the department's social work
service remained high. An example of this was the many requests
from universities, polytechnics and colleges to have their professional
social work students receive part of their field work
training in the section. By no means all could be accepted, but
even so, seven of these professional students came to the department,
most for nine months each, besides many others staying
for anything from a day or so to six weeks on visits of observation.
New Cases
During 1969, 1364 new cases came to the attention of the
social work section (the 1968 and 1967 figures were 1468 and
1498 respectively). The individuals, or families, concerned
were said to need, primarily, the following services when first
coming to the notice of the Department: (1968 figures in brackets)
Services for the physically handicapped— 248 (247)
A place in one of the Department's— 240 (253)
old peoples' homes
Families with problems with housing,— 182 (231)
including some who were homeless
After-care for mental health problems— 120 (133)
Requiring admission to psychiatric hospital— 70 (76)
Services for the blind or partially sighted— 69 (82)
Services for the mentally handicapped— 57 (44)
A place in one of the Department's mental— 25 (21)
health hostels
Services for the deaf or hard of hearing— 5 (20)
Families and individuals needing help for
a variety of reasons other than those
mentioned above— 315 (273)
(178 (142) being elderly people)
In addition, 33 (57) new cases were referred to the social
workers for investigation or reports; 20 (45) of these concerned
situations involving mental health problems.
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