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60
In January 1968 a new Assessment and Diagnostic Unit was opened
to cater for those children within the Borough between the ages of two to
six years who are in need of observation, assessment and basic training
before going on to either the junior training school or another educational
establishment. The accommodation consists of two classrooms, together
with adjoining cloakroom and toilet facilities for both children and staff.
Over 300 visitors were shown over the school during the year,
including a number of people from overseas.
Transition Class—The aim of this class, which is held in the games
hut, at the rear of Tanglewood Hostel, Common Road, Stanmore, is to
make children as independent as possible and to bridge the transition
from school to adult training centre. Tuition in simple 3-R work is given
as well as in woodwork, laundry, handicrafts and domestic work. Outings
to places of interest as well as large shopping stores are also arranged, the
children travelling on public transport and obtaining their own fares, thus
helping them to realise the use and value of money. Like the junior
training school, open days are held at regular intervals and parents supplied
with reports on their child's progress.
At the end of the year there were 21 children on the register, including
7 from neighbouring authorities.
Approximately 100 people visited the class during the year and saw
the children at work.
Adult Training Centres—In June, construction work commenced
on a 120 place adult training centre at Stanley Road, South Harrow. Work
on this project is due to be completed in the Autumn of 1969. Until this
centre is opened the older subnormal patients have to continue to travel
considerable distances to attend centres run by other authorities. At these
establishments the trainees undertake light industrial work, gardening and
other activities for which a small monetary award is made.
At the end of the year there were 45 trainees attending the London
Borough of Hillingdon's centre at Uxbridge and 1 attending Acton Lodge,
London Road, Brentford, run by the London Borough of Hounslow. There
were also 25 patients awaiting admission to such centres.
In addition, there are a number of patients in the community who
would benefit by attendance at such a training centre but their parents
prefer to keep them at home rather than let them undertake the long
journeys that are involved, and it will be possible to offer them places at
the new Harrow centre, once it is open.
Annual Camps—A party of 62 children and staff from the Harrow
Junior Training School under the leadership of the Principal Medical
Officer, Mental Health, attended a summer camp for two weeks from 27th
July—10th August, 1968. The camp was again held at this Authority's