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41
Mental Health Staff
Mental Health Social Workers and Training Centre, Day Centre and Special
Care Unit staff have attended short residential courses and day and part-time
day release courses arranged by the London Boroughs' Training Committee, the
National Association for Mental Health and Spastics Society. In addition a
supervisor/teacher of a junior training centre is undergoing a two-year course
of training, leading to the award of the Diploma of the Training Council for
Teachers of the Mentally Handicapped; one mental health social worker is
undergoing a two-year course of training and one senior mental health social
worker is undergoing a one-year course, both of which lead to the Certificate
of the Council for Training in Social Work.
Pupil Public Health Inspectors
Ten pupil public health inspectors are currently undergoing courses of
training, leading to the examination of The Diploma of the Public Health
Inspectors Education Board. They are receiving their theoretical training at
the Tottenham Technical College. Practical training is undertaken within the
department, although two pupils are receiving this under the London Borough of
Redbridge in accordance with the special scheme approved by the Greater London
Whitley Council. Pour students were successful in the 1969 examinations and
one of them succeeded in obtaining the bronze medal awarded by the Association
of Public Health Inspectors.
Pupil Midwives
As part of the local health authorities functions under the provisions
of the Midwives Act, 1951, this Council provides accommodation and training
for pupil midwives. Details of the amount undertaken in 1969 are set out on
page 23.
Administrative and Clerical Staff
During the year 16 administrative and clerical officers in the Department
undertook various courses of study leading to the Local Government Clerical
Examination, the Diploma of Municipal Administration, etc. Such staff are
granted day release by the Council for the purpose of attending classes and
the Council meet all fees and expenses in connection with these studies.
At times it is not easy to release staff from their ordinary duties in the
Department as the fixed establishment does not allow for this, but in the
majority of cases the Department is able to make arrangements and, in fact,
encourages staff to take these examinations which it is hoped will be of long
term benefit to the Council.
Reciprocal Arrangements
In addition to ensuring that staff receive adequate training, the
Department provides practical training facilities for other organisations.
For instance, nursing, social and medical students from hospital schools
visit the maternal and child health centres, day nurseries, and mental health
establishments as part of their training. I am pleased to be able to offer
these facilities as it enables students in all the fields of the health
services to learn something from each other and so foster the close liaison
that is so necessary in the work.