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The most significant event in the year under review was the passing of the Local
Authority Social Services Act, 1970, bringing with it the statutory appointment of a Director
of Social Services and the acceptance of the philosophy of the Seebohm Report on the
future pattern of social services throughout the borough.
As from 1st January, 1971 a Social Services Committee was formed and steps
taken toward the formulation of the new Social Services Department under the newly
appointed Director. The former Social Services Division of the Health and Family Services
Department, together with the Mental Health Section and the Home Help Service, and
certain other responsibilities connected with the Registration of Day Nurseries and Daily
Minders, were all gathered together and the Social Services Department created, legally at
least - if not in fact - as from 1st April, 1971.
The proposed structure and organisation of the new department was accepted
by the Council on the 11th May, 1971, and it is hoped that its operation will not be too long
delayed.
Together with the Local Authority Social Services Act, the Social Services
Department faces the heavy demands of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Act, the Children
and Young Persons Act 1969, and the now operative parts of the Public Health and Health
Services Act of 1968. All these statutes mean an extension in the caring services for all our
clients, and call for the allocation of further resources over the years ahead. I am hoping that
together with our colleagues in the voluntary organisations, we will, in due course make
comprehensive social services a reality in the borough.
The Children's Service
During the period under review, sections of the Children and Young Persons Act
1969 have been implemented and the number of child care officers in the department has been
increased in order to deal with the increase in referrals from the courts and other agencies.
This has resulted in the reduction of officers' case loads to an average of fifty overall. A
significant change in the service brought about by the Act has been that children's homes,
remand homes and approved schools, have been redesignated community homes, and regional
planning committees were set up to study the needs for residential provision during the next
five years. The London Area constitutes Regional Planning Area 8 which has been divided into
three sub-committees, the London Borough of Sutton being one of eleven boroughs south of
the Thames which form one sub-committee-one of the senior child care officers has attended
all the meetings and provided the statistics and projections required. The Chairman and ViceChairman
have attended the meetings of the full committee.
The number of children received into care has increased - especially those requiring
short-term care, but due to the recruitment of new foster parents and the continued support
of established foster parents, the percentage of children boarded out has been maintained.
In accordance with the council's recommendation, negotiations were entered
into with the Home Office for the transfer of Dean House Children's Home, Merstham to
8, Stanley Park Road, Wallington, and the Borough Architect submitted plans which have
been accepted and loan sanction approved. Work will commence on the necessary extensions
in 1971-72 and the children and staff will transfer to this house in Wallington, which will
ultimately provide accommodation for 12 children and better facilities for children and staff.
Welfare Services for the Physically Handicapped-General Classes
Local Authorities are statutorily required to provide welfare services for the
handicapped (general class) and the deaf and hard-of-hearing. The duty imposed on the local
authority requires that persons to whom the arrangements relate are informed of services
available to them. The services available include provision of work shops where such persons
may be engaged in suitable work; providing handicapped persons with suitable work in their
own homes and helping such persons to dispose of their work. The local authority may also
provide handicapped persons with recreational facilities within their homes or elsewhere.
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