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These families have so many problems which bring them into
conflict with authority in many of its forms, that in the nature of
things many different workers either statutory or voluntary
are involved at some point. It follows that co-operation and
co-ordination at all levels are vital if the clients are to be
helped properly and skilled workers' time is to be used to the
best advantage. The system of regular meetings of Health and Welfare
Department staff with representatives from the Housing, Town Clerk's
Education and Children's Departments together with other interested
parties under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Medical Officer of
Health, as well as Bimilar meetings with the Greater London Council
Housing Welfare Officers', has developed and is the basis of much
of our work and the source of many referrals. Without this and the
individual case conferences called when necessary, the work would
be much more difficult and less effective. Without this degree
of consultation and co-operation it is certain that many more
evictions would have taken place. Much valuable preventive work
has been undertaken by this means.
It is impossible to define terms of reference too clearly
or to lay down too hard and fast rules as to who does what.
The borderline between the several forms of social work can become
blurred and sometimes family casework falls more naturally into the
sphere of one worker, statutory or voluntary, than another. An open
mind must be maintained and a flexible attitude adopted towards
the various responsibilities. Through constant co-ordination and
co-operation overlapping must be prevented and measures adopted to
ensure by mutual consent that whoever seems best fitted to
deal with any particular situation is the worker most involved.
Throughout the year regular contact has been maintained with
the social workers in all types of hospitals. They have been most
willing to ask for our co-operation. This is the field in which there
is great scope for development and there seems to be a strong case
for the medical social worker in the community having an even closer
contact with the hospital so that the patient has continuity of
support.
Contact with voluntary services can never be tod close and the
Department has been well supported by every branch of voluntary
service in the Borough. For this much appreciation is felt by members
of the staff who are constantly receiving their help.
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