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It is not the same affair to feel diseases and remove them; the power of feeling exists in all; evil is
removed by skill.—Ovid.
Welfare Services
Mr. J. L. Stoker—Chief Welfare Officer
RE-ORGAIMISATION OF SOCIAL WORK
The appointment of three senior social welfare officers early in 1970 made it possible to
organise the social work structure on an area team basis. Three teams were formed each headed
by a qualified senior officer, and each team included social welfare officers with experience in
different disciplines, i.e. work with the physically handicapped, blind and aged. The re-organisation
also provided an opportunity to introduce mixed case loads and whereas previously social welfare
officers specialised in one particular discipline they were now allocated cases in all three.
This change was in keeping with the recommendation of the Seebohm Committee and was
the first stage towards the anticipated re-organisation which would come about with the passing
of the Local Authority Social Services Act.
Social welfare officers dealing with homeless and problem families were not included in the
area team structure at this stage but will be absorbed into the teams when the formation of the
new Social Service Department takes place.
The social welfare officer for the deaf also works outside the team structure and is responsible
for the deaf in the whole of the Borough.
WELFARE OF THE AGED
The Council is very grateful for the continued valuable support which is given by voluntary
organisations in the care of the aged within the Borough. These include the four Old People's
Welfare Associations which received grants totalling £10,735 during the financial year 1970/71.
The services provided by these organisations included social and dining centres, holidays, outings,
Christmas parcels, meals on wheels and chiropody. The Women's Royal Voluntary Service and the
British Red Cross Society also gave considerable assistance.

A number of improvements have been made in the Homes during the year but no new Homes
have been built.
It is obvious that if Hillingdon is to maintain a satisfactory position with regard to the number
of beds provided, additional Homes will be required during the next few years.
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