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Group Work.
An experiment in group work was started at the early part of the year by
one of the Mental Health Social Workers. He found he had a number of disturbed
adolescents on his case load who were all experiencing similar problems of making
relationships. He decided to meet together one evening a week with these young
people in order to help them, by group discussion, to overcome some of their problems.
The experiment has proved to be a great success and many of the young
people have made great developmental strides.
After a few months one of the parents of a disturbed adolescent expressed
anxiety about the sort of group that her son was attending and as a result of this
another group was set up, this time with the mothers of the young people in order
that they could discuss their mutual problems.
Both these groups I feel, are offering an additional service from the Mental
Health Section.
Day Centre.
Early in the year it was necessary to close the Day Centre for the mentally
ill due to alterations to the structure of the building which made it impossible to
continue throughout the summer. The opportunity was taken to think in terms
of a different type of Day Centre and we were fortunate in obtaining the part'
time services of a Day Centre Organiser who was experienced in problems of the
mentally ill.
Out-patients Clinics.
In February, 1970, patients previously served by Springfield Hospital catch'
ment area were transferred to Horton Hospital at Epsom. Mental Health Social
Workers in the department concerned with admissions to Horton Hospital have
worked hard to develop useful relationships with the medical staff at the hospital.
Out'patient clinics have now been opened in the area and are served by a Consult'
ant Psychiatrist from Horton Hospital. The Mental Health Social Workers in the
area attend at the clinic each week to receive referrals from the Consultants and
to be available to discuss cases as required. This has been a useful development
during the year.
Case-wor\.
The number of referrals received in the department during 1970 were 563
compared with 795 in 1969. This shows a considerable drop and is believed to be
due to the improved quality of case work now being offered by the Mental Health
Social Workers in the section. A client is now being offered continuing supportive
service and this reduces the need for referrals at time of crisis and is believed to
be the reason for the reduction in referrals.
1970 was a year of anticipation and possible anxiety for Social Workers,
particularly those working in the Mental Health field. This was due to the proposed
setting up of the Social Services Department and the new emphasis on family
case-work. In order to become as much aware of the functions of the local
authority's other departments, generic group meetings were started and attended
by as many Social Workers as were available. These meetings were mainly to start
to get to know the work of the ether departments and the roles and duties of the
Social Worker in them.
In order to rationalise the future work, the Mental Health section was split
into three area teams during the year. At the same time, the Children's Department
and the Welfare Department also arranged to do this. This has made it
possible for the Social Workers in the areas to be able to get together and discuss
mutual problems and cases."
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