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In accordance with the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, 1971, a survey was
carried out in the Borough, on a house to house basis. The survey revealed a great deal of unmet
need and provided the new department with much useful information in forward planning.
Hillingdon was one of the very first local authorities in the country to carry out this type of survey
and as a result of the information obtained, the Council immediately increased its social work
staff to follow up those cases which had been identified as needing help. Approximately 500
handicapped persons have indicated need and just under 1,700 elderly persons have been identified
as requiring supportive help in their own homes.
This important piece of legislation has focussed the attention of society on the needs of the
elderly and the handicapped and for the first time for many years it should be possible to improve
the services to those in most need. The Act has meant an increase in support services and more
home helps are being employed, together with additional occupational therapists to extend the
services to those who need them.
The past twelve months have seen many advances in the field of social services and during
the coming year further expansion of services to meet the needs of members of the community
is envisaged.
RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
The residential services division is headed by Mr. L. A. Dotson, assistant director, who is
responsible for the management of the 24 residential establishments of the social services. The
24 comprises—9 old persons homes, a hostel for the mentally ill, a hostel for mentally sub-normal
adults, a weekly boarding unit for mentally sub-normal children, 7 children's homes, a residential
nursery, an approved school, a remand home classifying centre and 2 hostels for homeless families.
No new establishments have been opened during the year but new premises to replace the
existing approved school and the residential nursery are now being built. Proposals have been
approved for the replacement of the weekly boarding unit by a purpose-built unit which will
provide permanent boarding facilities and not weekly as at present; for the provision of a new
residential home for the elderly mentally confused; another old persons' home and a further hostel
for mentally sub-normal adults.
The Command Paper "Better Services for the Mentally Handicapped" envisages that many
more mentally handicapped will be cared for within the community and this will undoubtedly
mean an expansion of residential accommodation for the care of both children and adults who
do not need treatment or nursing care in hospital.
Facilities exist throughout the year for temporary admissions to residential old people's
homes for short stay care to provide relief to relatives who normally care for their aged folk. During
the summer months, 27 beds are available for this service and they are always fully booked.
DAY SERVICES
The day services division is controlled by Mr. J. L. Stoker, assistant director, who is responsible
for the administration of:
Day Nurseries
Adult Training Centres
Work Centres
Home Help Service
Meals on Wheels
Concessionary fares for the elderly
Aids and Adaptations for physically handicapped
** Registration and supervision of private day nurseries and child minders.
** (At the present time this service is kindly being undertaken by staff from the health department
on our behalf).
Expansion took place in a number of these sections during 1971 and plans are in hand for
the expansion of others during the coming year.
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