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41
three students from London University have been accepted for placements during
1967. The supervision of students calls for care in planning an interesting
programme, regular tutorials and the maintenance of close contact with college
tutors for progress to be discussed and assessed. Thus devoting considerable
time to enable the student to benefit fully from their placement.
CO-ORDINATION
Early in the year, the Council set up a Family Services Advisory Committee
consisting of the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the Health, Welfare and Children's
Committees. The Committee was set up to consider matters of common concern to
the three Committees.
There is also a Co-ordinating Committee of officers. This Committee
represents a carry over of a similar Committee run in the former Division 4 of
the London County Council. Chief Officers of the three social services departments
- Health, Children's and Welfare, and the Housing Department; and
representatives of the Education Authority, the Housing Department of the Greater
London Council, the Ministry of Social Security, and certain voluntary organisations
attend.
Cases that might benefit by the co-ordinated action of more than one agency
are originally discussed at the Field Workers Case Conference which is held
fortnightly. Social workers from the various departments of the Borough, and
of the Education Authority, other statutory bodies and voluntary organisations,
discuss cases in which they are interested and decide on an agreed policy of
work. Where necessary, they inform departments not already acquainted with the
family where their help may be necessary. When the Field Workers Case Conference
cannot deal with the problem, it is referred to the Co-ordinating Committee for
any action they can take. The prevention of eviction was the main concern
during the year.
BATHING SERVICE AND INCONTINENT LAUNDRY
The bathing service for old people falls naturally into two groups - the
person is either conveyed to the Millfields Centre and bathed there or an
attendant from Millfields Centre carries out the bathing in the person's own
home. The agreement of the family doctor is obtained in each case. Details
are set out below:-
No. No. of baths
Bathed at Centre 72 1,130
Bathed at home 69 997
Depending on medical need, patients are issued with incontinence pads, and
during the year general practitioners were circularised of the service available.
There was a marked increase in the demand for pads and during the year 17,676
were issued.
In addition, arrangements are made for laundering soiled linen at the Millfields
Centre. The laundry is collected in a suitable container once or twice
a week and returned some three or four days later. Some 42, 000 articles were
laundered during the year.
BLIND PERSONS
In my previous report I indicated that the administrative arrangements for
examining persons with a view to placing them on the Blind or Partially-sighted
Register would be undertaken by the Chief Welfare Officer, and the revised procedure
was introduced in May.