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170
I am grateful to Dr. Rodriguez for the following report in
respect of the Chislehurst Child Guidance Clinic, where he carries
out 4 sessions per week.
During 1967 the demands on the Clinic have continued to
increase (60 referrals in 1965, 81 in 1966, 112 in 1967), but without
increased staff and better accommodation, it has been impossible
to prevent an undesirable lengthening of the waiting list. With the
available present resources it is not possible to take more new
children for treatment. It is considered desirable to increase the
treatment facilities by asking for the appointment of a Child
Psychotherapist to the staff. Also, it has been very difficult, due to
the great pressure of clinical work, to maintain as close contact as
needed with outside agents.
The Educational Psychologists have continued their work as
in previous years. Mrs. O'Kelly, who had been working here for
many years, left on 31st August, 1967, to take up a post with the
Surrey County Council Education Department. Mr. A. Bennett
was appointed on 1.9.1967 and during the summer months we had
the help of Mr. Good. Apart from psychological assessment in the
Clinic, numerous visits were paid to schools covering the children
attending the Clinic. The extramural activities of the Educational
Psychologists in schools are not included in this report.
No Psychiatric Social Worker has yet been appointed to the
Clinic, but Mrs. Cameron, the Social Worker, increased her
number of sessions from 4 to 6 in May; she still carried on her
duties as Mental Welfare Officer.
Some urgent repairs were carried out during the year; as a
result the Clinic was closed for several days. The inadequacy of
the premises has become progressively more evident. Some of the
play material was replaced; the Clinic was also provided with a
Grundig Stenorette and a new Enurex machine.
Sixty-two new children from the borough have been investigated
and taken on for treatment during the year. A total of 112
referrals was received during 1967 (81 in 1966). There was an
increase in the number of referrals from General Practitioners,
Paediatricians and other Psychiatrists. The total number of
psychiatric interviews with children was 630 as against 469 in 1966.
As in the past, co-operation with outside agents has been a
regular part of the responsibilities of the Unit. Contact was maintained
with Head Teachers, Education Welfare Officers, Assistant
Medical Officers, Children's Officers, Probation Officers and Health
Visitors. The staff has attended meetings organised, amongst
others, by the Education Department and Mental Welfare Department.
Two students of the Institute of Education visited the Clinic.