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Social Services
The Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 provided for the appointment of a separate
Social Services Committee, and the appointment of a Director of Social Services with responsibility
for all of the work previously undertaken by the children's department together with many duties
formerly undertaken by the health and welfare department. All of the welfare services not undertaken
by Doctors or by nurses were transferred to the new department, together with the mental
health services, the home help service, day nurseries and child minding. A working party under
the chairmanship of the Town Clerk formulated proposals for the organisation of the new department
based on the concepts enunciated in the Seebohm Report, and with particular emphasis upon
the development of the generic social worker. On 1 st April 1971 the new organisation was brought
into operation with the Director of Health Services undertaking the additional duties of Acting
Director of Social Services. Every effort was made to ensure that the services to the public were
maintained, and changes were introduced gradually. In spite of serious staffing difficulties and
the absence of key members of the new organisation it was possible to commence the rapid
development of services which were considered necessary, and to initiate a survey involving
every household in the Borough to determine the extent of unmet need.
The organisational separation of Health and Social Services which will be completed in 1974
by the re-organisation of the National Health Service emphasises the need for "working links"
at all levels in the two organisations if the essential harmony of care which the patient should
receive in the community is to be maintained. Every effort is being made to encourage such links
although staff shortages in both services have presented difficulties.
On 1st October 1971 Mr. G. P. D. Marsh took up his duties as Director of Social Services
in Hillingdon, and I am indebted to him for the following description of the new department.
I am most grateful for the opportunity of briefly describing some of the services that are
undertaken by my department, and underlining the importance I place on ensuring close links
between our two services. The department is organised into four divisions—Social Work, Residential
Services, Day Services and Research.
SOCIAL WORK
The social work services of the department is the responsibility of Mr. W. N. Ritchie, assistant
director. The Borough has been divided into three areas, each covered by one area team. The
north team covers Ickenham, Ruislip, Eastcote, Northwood and Harefield and is at present based
at Old Bank House in Uxbridge until August of 1972, when it is hoped that a new office will be
ready in Ickenham. The west team is in its permanent base at Old Bank House in Uxbridge and
covers Uxbridge, Cowley, Yiewsley and West Drayton. The east team is at present in Dragonfield,
in the Council Offices, 259 High Street, Uxbridge, until April 1972, when it will be moving to an
office in Golden Crescent, Hayes. The siting of the area offices reflects the spirit of the Seebohm
Committee whose report was implemented in the Social Services Act 1970, which recommended
a community based service and it is the intention of the Borough Council to ensure that they are
situated in the community which they serve.
It would be true to say that a tremendous amount of upheaval followed the establishment
of the new department but it is gratifying to note that unlike some other local authorities, the
organisation is already operating remarkably well.
Since April 1971 there has been a large increase in the referral rate of cases to our department
and up to 31st December, 1,800 cases have been referred. It seems that members of the public
are already using the new service available to them.
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