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20
Neasden Special Care Unit
Although the new Kingsbury Junior Training School incorporates a 36-place Special Care Unit it
was essential not to lose the use of the 24-place unit, originally part of the Neasden Junior Training Centre,
but housed in an adapted separate building.
Unhappily, this Borough still has need of provision additional to that at the Kingsbury Unit alone
as the proportion of multiple-handicapped children in Brent appears to be rather higher than the national
average. The Neasden Unit, divorced from its former close integration as part of the old Training Centre had
to become an independent establishment and the new staff set-up there is headed by a Matron. The arrangement
has so far proved very satisfactory and staff and children have settled well.
The Holiday Centre
As in previous years, a summer school was run during August for the benefit of some children and
parents alike. This time it was possible before the new school acutally became operational to use the premises
of the new Kingsbury Junior Training School, with all its added facilities and attractions, including both indoor
and outdoor paddling pools.
Summer Holiday Camps
Once more this Borough owes appreciation to adjoining authorities for including in their summer
holiday camp arrangements Brent trainees who attend their adult training centres. This Department was able
to help with the provision of escorts and the cost of such holidays for 20 trainees was subsidised by the
Council on the basis of individual assessment.
Separate arrangements were made at a holiday camp in Devon for a two week stay for the residents
of "Homelea" Hostel, all on similar financial terms.
Adult Training Centre
Approximately 80 Brent trainees continued to make use of places provided at Acton Lodge, Brentford,
Southall and Uxbridge Adult Training Centres by the Boroughs of Hounslow, Hillingdon and Ealing.
With the evacuation of the premises at Neasden by the Junior Training School on its transfer to
Kingsbury, the building was put to use from September as had been planned, as a temporary Adult Training
Centre. The 50 places provided were quickly taken up by those awaiting training. It is to the credit of the
new staff at the Centre that within a very short time many and divers training facilities were got under way
and generally a most auspicious start made in this, the first centre of its kind in the Borough.
Simultaneously with these developments in 1969, planning progress continued on the proposed new
permanent Adult Training Centre at Stonebridge. At the end of the year, finalized proposals for submission
for loan sanction were nearing completion. The project embodies the conversion of the existing Stonebridge
Health Clinic and the building of extensions thereto, all at an estimated cost of £100,000 and to provide for
120 trainees..
Social Clubs for the Mentally Subnormal
Two such clubs, both sponsored by voluntary bodies, continued in successful operation during the
year, viz:—
The "Bonanza Club" (by the Brent Society for Mentally Handicapped Children) in the hall at
Kingsbury Junior Training School each Saturday afternoon; and
The "Neasden Teenagers' Club" (by the Parents' Association) in the Gibbons Social Centre.
The Brent Society for Mentally Handicapped Children (Willesden and Wembley Areas)
Apart from the function referred to above, the Society has continued its very valuable work in support
of the persons and families it was formed to serve, where necessary in liaison with officers of the Department.
It is with great appreciation that I have to record that in addition to providing a sum of £1,000 for extra
outdoor sports equipment and an internal communications system at Kingsbury Junior Training School, the
Society further undertook at a cost of almost £400 the conversion of a small storeroom into a kitchen for
the more convenient preparation of meals required for children in the Special Care Unit at the School.