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to see the ways in which attitudes were related to actual behaviour. In each study, groups of
mothers were initially selected by Health Visitors in the Borough. In the study of houseproud
mothers it was found that their children, compared with a control group, spent more time alone,
more time physically restricted and had more intense interactions with adults. In the second
study where observational studies of the mother's and children's behaviour were made, it was
found that highly restrictive mothers exerted more verbal direction and control over their
children's behaviour than the women in the control group.
We are pleased to be able to report that some of the work we are currently engaged on
is a direct result of ideas from our colleagues in the Borough. In one school we have been
asked by the headmistress to make a special study of a particular group of children whose
behaviour is felt by the teachers to reflect unusual environmental circumstances; this study
is expected to be finished in 1970. In response to a request from Dr. Little we are using video
equipment to provide a descriptive account of the behaviour of children attending a psychiatric
unit of Whipps Cross Hospital. We hope in the future to provide a similar account of children's
progress at the Remedial Centre as requested by Mr. Jeffrey.
Progress has been made on the development of a register of children in the Borough,
the basis of which is information given by Health Visitors about all the births to families
resident in Waltham Forest. The Health Department also keep us informed of changes of
address and movements out of the Borough. The register is now running smoothly and will
shortly be available for use as a sampling frame for the Unit's studies in this area. A yearly
analysis of the data collected has been asked for by Dr. Wright who hopes to use it to solve
some outstanding administrative questions.
Since our last report the name of our Unit has been altered in keeping with the
changing nature of our interests and work, and we are now the M.R.C. Child Development and
Behaviour Unit.
We are very grateful to both the Department of Health and Welfare and the Education
Department for the assistance and co-operation extended to us in the course of our work in
the Borough without which the studies described here would not have been possible.
THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CENTRE
Contributed by Mrs. J. Payne, Welfare Organiser
1969 saw important developments in the work of this centre:-
Staff
By now, welfare had grown to be the largest single part of our work. In January
Margaret Filer came to assist me. To leave us free to concentrate our full-time efforts on the
welfare work, Miss Shilling joined us in August to take over the organising of the School
Leaver Conferences, Housing Trust, and to develop the Centre's other activities.
Telephone
We obtained a new 'easy to remember' number — 520 2000.
Case-work
We began to receive requests for help with more complex and long-term cases as well
as the increasing number of short-term emergencies.
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