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and it is fair to say that this proved to be a stimulating and
worthwhile experience for all of us.
Mrs. Wisdom's work (part-time) with the families of
children at Martindale Physically Handicapped School has
continued to grow and the addition of the two nursery
classes has brought extra work. Liaison with the
occupational therapists who are responsible for providing
aids and adaptions in the home is an important factor.
Consultations with them and the physiotherapist treating
the child take place so that the right aids and help can be
given within the home. Joint visits are made when
necessary.
Convenient housing is fundamental to a family with a
handicapped child and if practical problems within the
home can be solved, pressures are lessened. Investigating
these conditions, supporting requests for re-housing or
transfers is time-consuming, but important.
Holidays are arranged for some of the children through
the recuperative holiday scheme. This provides a very
necessary break for hard-pressed parents and an opportunity
for siblings to take precedence at home for once. It also
encourages the handicapped child towards greater
independence.
Much time is given to the families of spina bifida
children as their problems are so varied and the stresses so
great. In November Mrs. Wisdom gave a talk to the local
branch of Asbah on her role as a specialist social worker
from the Social Services Department.
Analysis of New Referrals 1972.
Martindale and M.A.U. 39
Marjory Kinnon 36
Heston School for the Deaf, Units and Hearing Clinic 36
Busch House School 14
Total 125
Total Caseload 355
Shared between the equivalent of 2% social workers.
Recuperative holidays
During the year the borough council accepted responsibility
under Section 48 of the Education Act, 1944 for the
maintenance of 74 children in recuperative holiday homes.
Sixty-three were admitted to such homes and 11 were
cancelled or withdrawn and 9 were awaiting placement at
the end of year.
Health Education in Schools
The Health Education Officer, Mr. Duffy left in November
to take up a new post in Africa. His policy to widen the
scope of Health Education both in and out of schools is
being continued especially by the Health Visitors.
School Meals and Milk
The following information concerning the provision of
school meals and milk relates to a check made during the
autumn term 1972.
Maintained Schools
Meals
Pupils present 32,211
Pupils taking meals 20,182
Percentage taking meals 63%
Pupils bringing own food 3,282
Milk (on grounds of age)
Pupils present 8,478
Pupils taking milk 8,255
Percentage taking milk 97%
Milk (on grounds of health)
Pupils present 361
Pupils taking milk 361
Percentage taking milk 100%
Non-Maintained Schools
Number of Schools (Primary only) taking milk 8
Number of children present 548
Number of children taking milk 416
Percentage taking milk 76%
The information concerning the provision of milk is
divided according to age or on grounds of health and this
follows the regulations made in 1971 which require
authorities to provide free school milk only for the
following classes of pupils in Maintained Schools —
(a) Pupils in Special Schools
(b) Pupils in other Maintained Schools up to the end of
the summer term next after they attain the age of 7.
(c) Other pupils in Primary Schools and junior pupils in
All Age and Middle Schools where a School Medical
Officer certifies that the pupil's health requires that
he should be provided with milk at school.
Infectious Diseases
The following numbers of cases of infectious disease are
known to have occurred among school children during the
year
Chickenpox 550
Encephalitis —
German measles 181
Infective jaundice 17
Measles 153
Meningitis —
Mumps 523
Scarlet fever 30
Tuberculosis —
Whopping cough 9
Sonne dysentery 2
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