View report page

79
of the severely disabled in the Greater London area south of the
Thames provides an opportunity both to assess the needs of individuals
who, through disability, cannot compete in industry, and
to influence the ways in which these needs may be satisfied. This
survey is intended to assess the needs of the physically and
mentally handicapped for sheltered employment.
Throughout the year, I have continued to serve as an Adviser
to the Welfare Committee of the Association of Municipal Corporations.
This involves the submission of views about policies
proposed by the Government, as well as discussions with numerous
bodies including the Ministry of Health (now the Department of
Health and Social Security) and national voluntary organisations.
It is also relevant to indicate that, for several years now, I
have represented the Association of Municipal Corporations on
the Council for Training in Social Work and have served on a
number of its committees or panels. This link is most useful as far
as the Borough is concerned as it enables me to apply the knowledge
gained nationally to the local situation. Similar considerations
apply to my membership of the committees of the National Old
People's Welfare Council which are concerned with the needs of
the elderly, and training in its broadest aspect.
I hope that the data which is now produced will give some
indication of the importance attached to client and community
needs, and T would like to thank all members of the welfare services
team for their contribution to the advances achieved in 1967/68.
Residential A ccommodation
Soon after 1st April, 1967, the residential accommodation
provided under joint user arrangements with the Regional Hospital
Board at Orpington Hospital was closed and the 23 men in the
ward concerned were transferred to accommodation in the residential
homes.
The Local Authority accommodation available remained at
394 places throughout the year and no further accommodation
will be ready until the new purpose-built home for 46 residents is
occupied in late 1969 or 1970. The capital building programme
for residential homes provides for one home in each of the years
1970/71 and 1971/72 but sites for these have not yet been
determined.
I reported last year that the waiting list of persons requiring
residential accommodation urgently stood at 68, of whom 24 were
in hospital. The social workers were in touch with 107 people (31
in hospital) at 31st March, 1968, who needed care and attention
urgently. This increase of 57% in the waiting list over a period
of one year bears out my comment last year that a drastic revision