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At the end of the year there were 327 children waiting to be seen by one of the four psychologists
(compared with 314 at the end of 1969), and 128 children to be seen by one of the two half-time consultant
psychiatrists (compared with 94 at the end of 1969).
Clearly then, there is a waiting period before a child is seen, but urgent cases are given priority.
Urgencies tend to be where reports are required by the Juvenile Courts, or a child has been excluded from
school or the description of the child's difficulties suggests severe disturbance.
Referralsi

Quite obviously the main pressures come from school referrals from the Willesden side of the Borough.
As can be seen from Table 1, of the children referred to the Centre for full psychiatric investigation,
there were more than twice as many boys as girls, but this is quite typical of referrals throughout the country.
Of the referrals about one third came from medical sources, one third from the schools and one
third from elsewhere.
Table 1 shows that nearly 300 children were seen for some regular help after the intial diagnostic
investigation. This is a notable figure, and by far the highest since the Brent Service was inaugurated (comparable
figures were 146 in 1965 and 270 in 1969). This individual help will vary—sometimes it will be as much
as one hour a week with a psychiatrist or psychotherapist over an extended period, sometimes it will be only
half an hour once in three months.
Table 3 shows the reasons for referral to the Centres. About two thirds of the referrals are for
behaviour problems where the child makes life difficult for the teacher or parent. Many of these children
obviously require investigation and help, but two observations, mentioned in previous reports, should not be
forgotten. Firstly, little can be accomplished if the parents do not see the problem and remain unco-operative.
Secondly, the great emphasis on this group of children should not detract from the referring of the equally
important type of children who may not be as difficult with adults, but because of their withdrawn, sensitive
or nervous symptoms require help with their emotional adjustment.
Table 4 shows the age distribution of referrals. This is much the same as previous years, although a
tendency is noted of fewer infant referrals and more secondary referrals. Child Guidance Services throughout
the country ask for earlier referrals. Brent is no exception. The 70 children referred at 14+ present a particular
problem, more so if the reason for referral is acting out "difficult" behaviour, and some of these
children were referred for the first time at that late age.
Staff and Premises
As from the beginning of the year, Dr. Friedman, Consultant Child Psychiatrist at Kingsbury, gave
up one session a week. Mrs. Smith replaced Mr. Rigby as Educational Psychologist at Kilburn. Miss Hindley
and Mrs. Hutten, sessional P.S.W's at Kilburn, left the Service and were replaced by Mrs. Brett Jones and
Mrs. Agranoff.
The total staff establishment has been filled except for a few sessions of psychotherapy.
The employment of such a large number of sessional/part-time workers does present problems. The
establishment of P.S.W's and psychotherapists is 7½ and this is filled by 18 people. Not only does this present
problems of accommodation, but also it detracts from the continuity of the work. If one professional worker
is dealing with a case, any problems arising cannot easily be passed to somebody else during the absence of
the responsible officer.
Two sessions of psychotherapy time is given to Barretts Green Secondary Day Maladjusted School.
Miss Stone attends there for one day a week.
The Kingsbury Centre will take over the ground floor premises in Church Lane after the Maternity
and Child Welfare Clinic moves out, and this extra space will prove most useful. The Kilburn Centre is
very overcrowded, and it is hoped that some plans to alleviate this will be formulated.
Exclusions from School

Of the 37, half were regarded as not requiring Special Educational Treatment or special facilities and reinstated
in the same school or transferred to another ordinary school, ten were transferred to some form of
Special Education, and the remainder were dealt with bv other departments, e.g. transferred to Approved
School by the Juvenile Court or placed in care by the Children's Department.
Immigration
About 27% of Brent's school children are immigrants, largely from the West Indies. There is no
doubt that on average these children have a lower level of educational attainment than indigenous children.