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70
statutory bodies. The Hayes Parish Church is responsible for the
service.
The Bromley Society for Mentally Handicapped Children
assists by meeting the fees in necessitous cases. The local authority
provides the services of its senior officer to act as medical adviser,
puts forward the children for admission and meets the deficit
incurred by the Church in running the Centre.
The Beckenham Play Group, organised by the Beckenham
Red Cross, started early in 1967 and has developed well. Up to
12 children attend once a week. The modest premises stood in the
way of further expansion, but this will be put right in 1968, when
an extension to the British Red Cross Headquarters will be completed
and the Play Group will be operational twice a week.
Although the Play Group admits children from Beckenham and
Penge areas only, the pressure on places continues. The Group
is run entirely on voluntary lines, no payment is made to the staff
and no financial support has been sought from the Council.
Problems of Training Centre Placements
With the knowledge that shortage of Training Centre places,
especially on the adult side will continue, much thought and care
has to be given to each individual case. Tribute was already paid
in last year's report to the help received from the contiguous
authorities, especially Kent County Council. This help was
generously given in 1967, and half of our adult trainees continue
to attend the Swanley Training Centre.
Table VIII again shows no material change since last year,
when it was pointed out that all the Centres involved have reached
saturation point.