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The clinic is seen both as a specialist service in sexual problems, and as a counselling
service for young people with other problems who are not in touch with other advisory
agents.
The Youth Counselling Service worked closely with a number of other agencies
referring clients to them, as well as accepting their referrals, but often found it impossible
to obtain help for those few clients with long-standing psychological difficulties.
Towards the end of the year the social worker's sessions were increased to two per
week and this proved to be a very necessary addition; the clinic was fortunate enough
to have the help of Mrs. M. Boylette as receptionist, and of Dr. Robina Thexton whose
valued assistance was much appreciated.
The service is known to a number of workers in settings where young people are
found, schools, hospitals, the Citizens Advice Bureau, etc., and members of the staff
have been asked to give a number of talks about their work. However, if this is to be a
preventive service further attempts must be made to publicise its existence so that young
people are referred before situations become acute: the figures show that there is still a
long way to go before this aim can be achieved. Too many of the young clients do not
come for contraceptive advice until they have already needed termination and too few
come directly for help for either sexual or other problems because the service is not as
well known to the public as it should be.
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