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140
Training
Following our policy of encouragement to the various training
colleges etc. with whom we now have close links to place their students,
because of the increased number of professionally qualified social
workers now employed by Welfare Services, it was possible for us to
participate in the exciting new Married Women's Social Work Assistants
Course run by the Havering Technical College by accepting three of
their students for a ten week observation placement of one day a week,
in the early part of 1969.
In addition, arrangements were also finalised during the latter part
of the year for three students from the Enfield College of Technology
One Year Certificate in Social Work Course to come to us for their seven
month fieldwork placement from 31st December, 1969. We shall also be
welcoming one of the Enfield Child Care Course students for her fieldwork
placement.
As was expected, the response of our existing staff to the arrival of
these students has been welcoming, despite the demands of time and
energy which are required to ensure the students are provided with a
worthwhile learning experience.
Our remaining trainee Social Worker was successful in gaining a
place on the two year Certificate in Social Work Course at Sheffield and
left in September, 1969 to commence his studies.
Staff Development
With the appointment of a new Principal Social Worker, and two
additional social welfare officers and the advent of increasing numbers
of students on placement, considerable thought has been given in 1969
to the needs of new and existing staff for in-service training.
An in-service Induction Course for new staff was introduced towards
the end of the year and met with immediate and wide enthusiasm. Also,
casework discussion groups were introduced in connection with our
responsibilities to provide preventive casework services to those
threatened by eviction. These have been attended by those social
workers involved in family casework and have been of great value to
them in providing opportunities to increase their knowledge and skills
in the application of casework. It is planned to extena these groups to
embrace the spheres of casework with the visually and physically handicapped
and with the elderly, in order to meet the needs of our social