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73
WELFARE SERVICES
The staff establishment of the Welfare Section at 31st December, 1970
was as follows:-
Principal Officer for Social Work (Welfare and Mental Health Services)
Deputy for Welfare Services Home Teachers for the Blind 3
Professional Case Worker Industrial Work Organiser
Social Welfare Officers 10 Handicraft Organiser
Trainees 2 Work Centre Assistant
It has been a year of little change although the demands for Welfare
Services continued to increase as expected. Thousands of the Council's
Booklet for the Elderly have been issued throughout the Borough over
the past two years and this has brought the knowledge of services available
to an ever increasing number of the general public. In addition the
widespread publicity given to the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons
Act 1970 has also increased the dissemination of knowledge. It should be
noted that with very few exceptions the Welfare Services required by the
new Act are already being provided in Harrowunder the permissive powers
of the National Assistance Act 1948. With regard to the exceptions plans
are already prepared to implement the requirements although it should
be remembered that the introduction of new services must be decided in
the light of resources available.
The case load for social workers has therefore increased and although
there has been difficulty in recruiting to fill vacancies every effort has
been made to meet the demands of new referrals and maintain an efficient
service.
Temporary Accommodation
During the period under review 83 applications were received from
families requiring temporary accommodation. Of the many and varied
causes of homelessness rent arrears and domestic dissension produced the
greatest number of applications. Close liaison over the years with the
Council's Housing Manager, bailiffs, etc. has enabled the social workers
to receive early warning of families who are in difficulties resulting in
possible eviction and by repeated visits, giving advice and assistance,
eviction has been obviated in many cases. The case load in this respect
numbered 26 on 31st December, 1970 and in addition repeated visits
were made to the 15 families already in temporary accommodation.
The following table gives details of the 83 applications received.