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Area based social work offices and teams will
develop in the same way as did local health clinics and their
doctors and health visitors and nurses - at first in church halls,
scout huts or any premises which can he found. Those engaged
in social services must not at first set their sights too high;
the most effective service is more often born out of difficulties
than easy labour. Real status is not gained by administrative
decisions but through providing effective service. The niceties
of theory and academic study must give way to practical means
of providing help where it is needed and at the time it is needed
if social services are to fulfil the tasks envisaged for them.
The fire brigade type of service at present provided to meet
emergency situations and acute social distress will be maintained,
but will gradually be reinforced by greater emphasis on preventive
work the basis of which is education and family visiting similar
to that now practised by preventive health services.
If effective family service is to be maintained and
developed it will be necessary for the close personal relationships
which have grown within the Department since its inception to be
maintained between all those responsible, whatever their professional
calling or departmental allegiance. In Sutton the experience of
the last two years has done much to ensure that this will be the
case. The foundations of your new Social Services Department
have been laid and I have every confidence that in their separate
but closely parallel roles, Family Health and Social Services
will in the future continue to provide a high standard of service.
P.WESTCGMBE, M.B. ,B.S. ,D.P.H. ,
Medical Officer of Health
Director of Health & Family Services