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has the staffing situation prevented interesting experimental
schemes, foremost of which was the arrangement for a proportion
of new residents at Manor Fields, Orpington, to bring their own
furniture into the residential home.
5. A most encouraging feature of the year's progress has been the
further development of co-operation with the voluntary societies
which was so evident from the references made in the previous
Annual Report: the area of partnership is much broader than is
often recognised. In caring for the elderly, the department's
relationships with the voluntary organisations providing residential
care and the agencies (such as the Bromley Joint Old People's
Welfare Committee and the Women's Royal Voluntary Service)
engaged primarily in supplying supporting services in the homes
of individuals and at clubs or centres, have been excellent. A
similar pattern of partnership has emerged with the voluntary
agencies concerned primarily with the welfare of the disabled.
Particularly close working relationships have been established
between the local authority and the British Red Cross Society, the
Shaftesbury Society, the Kent Association for the Disabled, the
West Kent Spastics Society, the Bromley Branch of the Multiple
Sclerosis Society, and the Kent Association for the Blind.
6. The first Annual Report made scant reference to training but
the foundations for a sound staffing structure were laid soon after
the new authority was formed. In 1966/67 the in-service training
arrangements for welfare assistants were continued and improved.
It is most encouraging that two trainees were selected for a fulltime
two-year course of training for the Certificate in Social Work
commencing in September, 1966, and four more had been notified
of their success in obtaining places for the courses starting in 1967.
7. Concurrently, the Welfare Services of the London Borough of
Bromley were used as a placement agency by the North Western
Polytechnic for both first-year and second-year students. The
extension of these arrangements made increasing teaching demands
upon the casework supervisor and steps were taken to involve the
senior social workers (each of whom holds the Certificate in Social
Work) in student training. Induction courses have been arranged
for those social welfare officers recruited to the service and every
opportunity has been taken for staff at all levels (including those
in residential homes) to participate in refresher courses arranged by
various training organisations and professional groups.
8. It was feared that the stringent position dictated by Government
policy would prevent any expansion in the Welfare Services during
1966/67. There is no doubt that the revision of capital programmes
will be felt, in terms of inability to meet individual needs, for many
years to come. Nevertheless, it was encouraging that the Finance
Committee found it possible to allocate an additional sum of money
for (health and) welfare purposes. Proposals for a limited