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150
general plight of the homeless was highlighted in Redbridge by the
activity of squatters in the early part of the year when the Council were
compelled to take legal action and eventually returned the squatter
families to their Boroughs of origin. Fortunately, Redbridge has only a
small proportion of families to contend with in comparison with most
inner London Boroughs, but the mere fact that temporary accommodation
still has to be provided to such an extent is a warning against
complacency.
Contemporary thought on the matter (as reflected in the Seebohm
Report) has been implemented in Redbridge, the Housing Department providing
the fabric of temporary accommodation, leaving Welfare Services
to provide the skilled services of the family caseworkers and the provision
of overnight reception and rehabilitation units. In fact, a policy of
rehabilitation is pursued in Redbridge rather than the old authoritarian
approach. The policy is implemented in three stages: (1) preventive
stage when the family caseworker assists the family in their own borne
to avoid eviction; (2) rehabilitative stage in local accommodation for
those families who are literally homeless. In this rehabilitation unit we
have a Supervisor who, in conjunction with the social worker, advises
and guides the eight families in the accommodation which is nearer to
normal housing conditions, the families having their own rooms although
sharing the kitchen facilities; (3) supportive stage - a follow-up period
after families are rehoused to give gradually declining support and prevent
recurrence of trouble.
This aspect of social work calls for exteme patience and perse
verence on the part of the trained family caseworkers. Some success
is achieved and although a few families will need support for most of
their lives, others who have passed through rehabilitation units and
temporary accommodation undoubtedly benefit from the casework support
given. We have, in fact, partially succeeded in our aim to help them to
help themselves. Society to-day is changing in its attitude but it would
appear that some time will have to elapse before Welfare Service Officers
can think of temporary accommodation in terms of "duty cases" only,
namely those rendered homeless by fire or flood or urgent cases arising
from "circumstances which could not reasonably have been foreseen".
Voluntary
Organisations
There are many Voluntary Organisations in the Borough doing
splendid work amongst the elderly, the blind, deaf, physically handicapped
and the children of less fortunate families.