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70
the demand for adolescent placements has been small. Moreover we
emphasised that our resources are not adequate to accommodate
groups of disturbed young people without destroying the preventive
function of the hostel.
The procedure for selection is quite simple. The referring
agent, usually the hospital psychiatrist, is asked to provide basic
social and medical details. The Warden and Senior Mental Welfare
Officer interview the patient. While about 50 per cent of these
interviews are conducted in the hospital, it is now felt to be more
helpful to both the interviewer and the patient if these interviews
are held at the hostel. The patient can get a clearer picture of the
hostel and its provisions and understand what is expected of him.
Interviewers get a clearer assessment of patient's mobility and
volition by getting him to make his own way to the hostel for the
interview.
Hostel and Work
Experience during this first year has shown that it is necessary
to have a graduated range of work experiences for the residents.
The wider this range is, the easier it is for the resident to take each
succeeding stage, for although each resident has been in employment
or attending a work centre on admission, there have been
regressions not necessarily needing hospitalisation; therefore, a
progressive and flexible rehabilitative treatment plan has to be
formulated.
Although the hostel itself could provide opportunities for
residents to be usefully employed, it is a situation to be avoided.
However, one of the older, more chronic residents has undertaken
work within the hostel for a limited period.
Some of the other work activities include daily attendance at
the Council's work centre, Stembridge Hall, progressing from there
to I.R.U. or G.T.C. or to sheltered employment at Remploy factories
before going on to full-time open employment. It has been
necessary, of course, to have close liaison between the hostel staff
and the D.R.O. from the local office of the Department of Employment
and Productivity. This fairly close and regular contact, often
involving Work Centre staff and Social Workers, has helped in
establishing a better understanding of the problems experienced by
the residents and potential employers, minimising the difficulties
and lessening the risk of breakdown, especially in the early stage
of rehabilitation.
Staff
In starting a new venture, there always seem to be some
teething problems. It was unfortunate, therefore, that our first
Warden and Matron saw fit to leave their posts just as the first
intake of residents seemed to be settling into their new environment.