View report page

N.B. The Welfare Committee makes arrangements for chiropody for
elderly persons resident in Maiden Homes and Brambleacres.

MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK
(l) Prevention of Break-up of Families
Prior to 1st April, 1965 this work was in the hands of two
divisional social workers working in separate divisions of the Surrey
County Council. The urgent priority following re-organisation was to
continue to support these families, now Tinder one authority, while policy
and future patterns were shaped,, Since it was necessary to maintain
an intensive casework service case loads had to he small.
37 families were receiving support from the social workers
on 1st April, 1965 and new referrals, not including cases considered
in connection with rent arrears, during the period amounted to 19.
The number of rent arrears cases dealt with during the period was 39.
Most families had a multiplicity of problems, the commonest of which were
poor physical or mental health, personal inadequacy, marital difficulties,
low income and large families, marginal employability, homelessness,
excessive drinking and gambling and mis-management of finances where the
income was adequate. Heavy hire purchase debts and rent arrears were
frequent factors and very often the symptoms which first brought a family
to the notice of social workers. Many families need a weekly visit and most
even more; in a critical situation the whole of the working day may have to
be devoted to one family.
61