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are so overloaded. The young men who attended the clinic stressed their difficulty in
coping with life in general. In several cases, constructive contacts were made with
parents; in two the work was done through the parents and the children were not seen.
Most cases came from other agencies, although some came through existing
attenders and from members of the public. Usually, appointments were made, but it
is hoped that the "open door" concept will enable young people to come in when they
feel in need of help.
A high proportion of preparatory and follow-up work was done outside clinic
hours and there was considerable discussion with people who contacted the clinic —
social workers, parents and in one case a member of the public — about youngsters'
problems.
An opportunity was provided at a meeting in October to discuss the clinic plans
with representatives from religious, social and medical agencies and the police. In addition,
the clinic staff have had individual discussions with many of these representatives.
Hospitals providing psycho-therapy for young people have been visited.
I look forward to the continued growth of the Youth Counselling Service as it
becomes more widely known to agencies and the public it serves.
Seminars for Health Visitors and Midwives
A series of seminars arranged by the Family Planning Association Community
Education Project for South London for health visitors and midwives was held at Kings
Road, Richmond, from February until May. Each meeting in the series of six lasted
1½ hours.
The programme was designed to provide up-to-date information on family planning
methods and facilities including domiciliary services but particularly to bring about
a conscious analysis of experience and ideas. Four health visitors and two midwives
attended this series of seminars.
In addition five health visitors and five midwives attended day courses at the
Family Planning Association's premises at Peckham Rye later in the year.
Care of Unsupported Mothers and Their Babies
Miss H. Oliver, Social Welfare Worker, comments:—
In the annual report for 1965, it was noted how women, even in extreme need,
tended to refuse the residential care of homes and hostels. It was then thought that a
greater flexibility and a higher standard of care would make residential care more
acceptable. Despite the trend towards this higher standard and as greater informality
as community living will allow, there has been the same reluctance on the part of
potential residents to consider this type of help.
Although this situation does create a certain dilemma in some instances it is still
believed that it is preferable for most pregnant women to live in their normal surroundings.
This point was enlarged upon in the annual report for 1967.
The main aim of the work over the past year has been, wherever possible, to assist
the women to stay within the community, giving counselling, support and practical
advice on problems as they arise. It is mainly the wholly inadequate who need the
more intensive support of residential care.
The relevant part of the Family Law Reform Act 1969 is a practical and constructive
step in enabling the illegitimate to inherit in wider circumstances than was
previously possible.
The Abortion Act is now entering its third year, and those concerned with formulating
it are still uncertain how far it needs amending. Although it may be refuted,
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