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These cases can be grouped as follows
Short term and closed cases
Relatively easy problems that can be
dealt with in 1 or 2 visits 47
Long term
Cases when long term detailed case work
is needed and negotiation with other
agencies 79
126 cases most of them with involved, long
term casework with 1½ full time social workers
is equal to a case-load of 84 mainly complex
cases per full time social worker This is quite
high so it is obvious that over the next year
referrals must be streamlined For example
although attached to the special schools we
cannot undertake to solve minor difficulties that
arise concerning the children that could well be
dealt with by other agencies, such as the health
visitors if we do continue to concern ourselves
with these routine problems to a large extent
our long-term casework which is absolutely
vital will suffer Obviously at the present time,
we cannot suggest a maximum case-load but it
must be remembered that if the present trend
continues our referrals during the next year
will be more than double those during this first
experimental year so it will be necessary to
review our function and best use within the
medical and educational team of which we are
members
There are many other ways we can extend our
work over the next year. We hope to establish a
closer liaison with the social workers of the
welfare department so that we can consult
together when the question arises of desirability
of adapting a house to suit the requirements of a
physically handicapped child. Also it has proved
useful to have some liaison with the children s
department in cases where we feel that there is a
necessity for hostel accommodation or boarding
out of children such cases where there is a
temporary social problem not requiring permanent
boarding school placement.
In conclusion we feel that this first year has
been successful It has been one of exploration
and preparation for the future, when we hope to
provide a useful service.
Handicapped Pupils
The Education Act places on local education auth
orities the duties of ascertaining which pupils in
their area are handicapped and of providing special
educational treatment for such pupils. The several
categories of pupils requiring special educational
treatment are defined in the Handicapped Pupils and
Special School Regulations as follows -
Blind Epileptic
ParIiaIly sighted Maladjusted
Deaf Physically handicapped
Partially hearing Suffering from speech
Educationally defects
sub-normal Delicate
For the purposes of these regulations, ascertainment
applies from the age of two years. A blind or
deaf child must be educated at a special school
unless the Minister approves otherwise.
Special educational treatment for other handicaps
may be provided in an ordinary school with the stipu
lation that the special educational treatment must be
appropriate to the disability.
The number of handicapped pupils and the arrange
ments made for their special educational treatment
are shown in the table overleaf -
67