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A lift was installed during the year at Geffrye Primary School for
physically handicapped children and has been a boon to children and staff.
It has proved particularly important in view of the relatively large number of
severely handicapped spina bifida children at the school.
At New River school for partially sighted children the medical officer,
school nurse and social worker have developed excellent relationships with the
school staff and visiting eye specialist.
At both Geffrye and New River the social worker attached to each school
has developed links between school and the homes of many of the children, a
fact appreciated very much by the parents and school staff.
The building of the new all-age day school for educationally sub-normal
pupils on the north side of Downs Park was virtually complete at the end of
the year and it was anticipated that its first pupils would be admitted the
following Easter.
HANDICAP REGISTER
During the year the task of putting all handicapped school children
on a punch-card register was begun. This was in line with current ideas on
the need for intensifying the identification and supervision of all children
and young people in the community who have some form of mental or physical
handicap. This is a large task and it will be some time before it can be
considered at all comprehensive. But it is hoped it will prove very helpful
to all who have to deal with the problems of handicapped children.
TUTORIAL CLASSES
Many children with problems of emotion or behaviour do not need full-time
attendance at a special school, but can benefit from part-time attendance at a
small tutorial class. There are 4 such classes in the Borough.
PROBLEM CASES CONFERENCES
These conferences meet every three weeks or so, under the aegis of the
Divisional Officer (Education) to discuss children who are presenting serious
problems in terms of behaviour/attendance etc., in school. They are attended
by a senior member of the school medical staff, a senior social worker from
the Health Department and an educational psychologist as well as teachers and
other social workers who may be involved.
URBAN AID
During the year the Government announced outline plans for providing extra
financial help for areas with special social needs. These included provision
for extra nursery classes in schools and, as Hackney is one of the many areas
of special need, it is likely that nursery class provision will benefit.
STUDENT HEALTH
1968 was the first full year for the student health service at the London
College of Furniture. During term time a medical officer attended the college
each Thursday from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. to see any student who felt the need
of a personal chat on any health problem.
The numbers taking advantage of this service have so far been small,
usually one or two each session, but the college staff have made efforts
to let the students know of the service and the medical officer has spoken
briefly to student meetings on two occasions.
In addition discussions on health topics have been held with several of the
college classes as part of the Liberal Studies programme. These seem to have
been welcomed by the students and it is hoped to continue them in the future.
Finally may I take this opportunity of thanking the Medical Adviser and
his staff and the divisional officer, Mr. Mason, and his staff, for all the
help and co-operation they have given so willingly during the year.