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Social Services
Mr. J. L. DAVIDGE, FISW, Director of Social Services has
kindly provided the following report on those services
formerly administered by the Health Department which
were transferred to the Social Services Department on
1st April 1971.
Mental Health Services
The excellent services provided for the mentally ill and the
mentally handicapped have continued to develop and a
wider range of staff have become involved both in the
provision and operation of the services.
The mentally ill
The recovering mentally ill and those at risk from mental
illness have been helped by attendance at the Hounslow
Day Centre and in some cases by residence at The Orchard
Hostel in Bedfont.
The elderly mentally confused have been catered for at
the Heston Day Centre where some 60 persons have been
assisted each week on a full or part-time basis,
The mentally handicapped
Some 14»children who attend the nearby Lindon-Bennett
School reside in the Weekly Boarding Unit during weekdays
and return home to their parents at the weekend.
During two weeks of the summer holiday period a
number of other children are in residence so as to enable
their parents to have a relief from the continuing burden
of care.
The "Westbrook" Home at Heston, a long stay unit for
12 children which was officially opened in March, 1971,
has settled down and is providing a happy family
atmosphere.
for the adults, Acton Lodge and the Wood Lane Hostel
have continued to form the main provision.
Acton Lodge has had a busy year and efforts have been
made to make the instruction and the recreation more
interesting and satisfactory to those attending. New lines
have been introduced into the workshop, particularly in the
production of garden furniture.
Wood Lane Hostel where some of the trainees reside
provides a comfortable home for those who have no family
to support them, or where there are particular social
problems.
Conversion of certain properties is under way and
additional hostel accommodation for the mentally ill and
the mentally handicapped will be available shortly.
Social work support has been given to many families
and there has been close liaison with the staff of the Health
Department and the Psychiatrists and other staff at the
Springfield and St. Bernard's Hospitals. The joint social
work appointment at the Springfield Hospital has been of
benefit both to the department and the hospital and has
provided a continuity of service to the mentally ill.
Home Help Service
Approximately 2,000 persons were assisted during 1971
and, as before, the heaviest demand came from the frail
elderly who accounted for more than 75% of the total.
Also run by this section is an Incontinent Labndry
Service which gives assistance to about 30 families each
week.
The Home Help Service gives invaluable support and is
often the means of preventing an elderly person from
having to give up living alone or with a partner, and having
to enter a residential home.
Day Nurseries, Child Minders and Play Groups
The demolition of the old house which formed the
"Nantley House" Day Nursery in Lampton Road took
place during the year as the new Day Nursery arose on the
same site. It is now in.operation and providing an excellent
service in very pleasant surroundings.
The Day Nurseries at The Butts, Brentford and
Danesbury Road, Feltham, continued with their excellent
work. There was still an increasing demand for places and a
waiting list in the Feltham area. The future programme
includes new nurseries at Chiswick, Feltham and Brentford
and it is clear these are going to be needed to meet the
growing demands.
There are 270 registered child minders in the Borough and
66 registered private day nurseries including play groups.
Social Work Support
The arrangements whereby the social workers are employed
by the Social Services Department and attached back to the
various services such as School Health and Child Guidance
are working well and the advantages which were envisaged
are beginning to be apparent.
Conclusion
The staff of all these services have now become part of the
new Social Services Department and it is encouraging to
note how well they have integrated whilst, at the same time,
retaining their close links with their former colleagues in the
Health Department.
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