News and Notes
Parliament and Voluntary Organizations On June 22nd, in the House of Lords, a long debate took place on the subject of ” Voluntary Action for Social Progress when the need for the continued existence of voluntary organizations was pleaded by Viscount Samuel, the Earl of Selkirk, Lord Beveridge, Lord Nathan and others. Attention was drawn to the financial plight of such organizations and some proposals were made for relieving that plight without at the same time adding to the burdens of the tax-payer. One interesting suggestion to this end was that we should follow the example of Scotland by instituting ” Common Good ” funds to which testators could leave money they wished to be devoted to useful purposes ; another (put forward originally by Lord Beveridge in his book, Voluntary Action) was that the large amount of derelict money now frozen in banks, in the Court of Chancery and in various obsolete charitable trusts, might be transferred into such funds, if the necessary legislation could be enacted.
In the course of the various speeches warm tribute was paid to voluntary organizations?to their blazing of trails, to their function in filling gaps which cannot be filled by statutory action, to the ” humanizing ” touch they bring into services provided by Government Departments. Once again, however (as in Lord Beveridge’s book), only a passing reference?in quoting from information supplied by the National Council of Social Service?was made to the voluntary service which has and is being given in the Mental Health field, and no doubt the prevalent view that the needs of the mentally handicapped are completely met by statutory obligations is held by the noble Lords as by so many other less exalted citizens.
The debate drew from the Government, in the person of Lord Pakenham (Minister of Civil Aviation) an assurance that the value of voluntary effort was appreciated and would be encouraged : ” We are certain that voluntary service organizations have a part to play as essential in the future as any they have played in the past and, with the steady development of our social conscience, we must look to them as time goes on to put even their own fine records in the shade. and again ” It seems to me that to-day there is a clearer recognition all round, to which the Government certainly subscribe, of the truth that the statutory and voluntary social services are not contradictory but complementary, and that neither will be able to fulfil its highest purpose except in partnership with the other.”
Lord Pakenham enunciated the principle by the Government in relation to the making of grants to voluntary associations, viz. that ” as proof of their vitality such aided bodies should raise a significant amount from voluntary sources
Finally, he agreed that the proposal made to free the monies tied up in obsolete charitable trusts and frozen bank deposits should be examined more closely, although he could hold out no hope of legislation in the near future.
In winding up the debate, Viscount Samuel said that he proposed to take steps to communicate with some of the organizations concerned, to see if a group could be brought together which might be taken into consultation by the Government t when future policy was being framed.
A summary of the debate has been issued by the National Council of Social Service from whose publications department (32 Gordon Square, London, W.C.I) it may be obtained at a cost of 6d. A conference on the subject is being arranged by the Council.
Reception Centres for Deprived Children
Early in July the Home Office issued a circular (No. 128/1949) under the heading, “Centres for the Temporary Reception of Children”, drawing attention to Section 15 (2) of the Children Act, requiring Local Authorities to provide such Centres for purposes of observation prior to permanent Placement. With the circular is enclosed a Memorandum, based on advice given to the Secretary of State by the Advisory Council on Child Care to guide Authorities in establishing Centres. It is urged that a beginning should be made without delay despite the difficulties of obtaining suitable premises and trained staff, so that provision may be made for those children whose need for trained observation and assessment is most urgent, and attention is drawn to the work of the Reception Centre at Mersham, Kent.*
The Memorandum deals at some length with the staffing, running and general organization of Centres, and the categories of children for whom they are intended. Their general purpose is aptly summed up in the introductory paragraph as follows: When a child is received into care by a local authority under Section 1 of the Children Act, 1948, or is committed to their care as a fit person the best method of providing him with a substitute home cannot be decided without a close study of his needs as an individual. The children will differ widely and will come from a great variety of homes, and it is essential that there should be opportunity for preliminary investigation, and for obtaining accurate and co-ordinated information about each of them. A right decision about placing, taken at the outset, will reduce the risk of subsequent changes and the disturbing effect on the child of breaking his relationships by transferring him to new surroundings. In order to obtain the fullest possible knowledge and understanding of a child’s health, personality, conduct, intellectual capacity, emotional state and social history, provision must be made for his reception and temporary accommodation in a place where facilities are available for enquiry into these matters and for observation by a skilled staff.
The categories of children for whom Centres are primarily intended are stated to be : (a) Boys aged 2-12 judged to be likely to remain in care for more than six months. Cb) Girls aged 2-16 judged to be likely to remain in care for more than six months, except adolescent girls who, because of sex experience or for other reasons, could not suitably be accommodated with the generality of children coming into care.
(c) Boys and girls in the age ranges mentioned above who are likely to be in care for less than six months but are judged to require observation of their physical or mental condition.
id) Children under age 2, exceptionally, where children of the same family are admitted at the same time.
In addition to their use in determining, in the first instance, the type of home to which a child should be sent, it is pointed out that Centres should .also be used for the observation of children who ‘ have to be removed from foster homes owing to behaviour difficulties, before re-placement is attempted. In emergency, they may serve as places of safety and in suitable cases as remand homes for children under the age of 12. With regard to the time which a child should spend in a Centre, it is recommended that this should in no case exceed four weeks and should always be as short as possible ; if more prolonged observation is called for or if the right type of placement cannot at once be arranged, it is suggested that there should be an intermediate Home accessible to the Centre’s skilled staff.
The size of a Centre should be limited to accommodation, for 25 to 30 children, and the full-time staff under a superintendent, who should have recognized qualifications in social work or in teaching, might include one or more trained housemothers, one or more qualified teachers, someone with nursing experience, one or more workers able to organize recreations and occupation and domestic workers who should also have an interest in the children. One or more members of the staff should be men. It is urged that every worker in the Centre should feel responsible for taking a share in the work of observation and assessment. Careful daily records should be kept, and the final assessment should preferably be made at a case conference consisting of those who have had the child under observation and including a member of the staff of the Children’s Officer who will.be responsible for carrying out the recommendation made. It is essential that each Centre should be able to call upon the services of a Child Guidance team and the joint employment of specialist staff by more than one Authority should be explored. The setting up of joint Centres by adjacent Local Authorities is also advocated.
The attention to detail which has been given in the preparation of this Memorandum is shown in the paragraph about” Arrangements for Reception” which we quote in full :?
It is important that a child’s first impression of a reception centre should be of a bright, * Interim Report, 1948. Obtainable jrom the Centre, price Is. 3d. homely, welcoming place. His responsiveness and co-operation are likely to be coloured by his first experience of care. The child’s confidence should be gained by explaining to him in an understanding way what is happening to him. If a family are received, every effort should be made to keep the children together. If they have to be parted, every member should know where the others are.
Probably the next stage will be cleansing and physical examination, which should preferably take place in the sick bay. A child should not be rushed from the front door to the bathroom, but should have time to look round the room into which he is first brought, and possibly be given a meal there. His own clothes and any other belongings should be treated with respect in his presence, even if they have later to be destroyed, and he should not immediately be asked questions about ration books, birthday, etc.
The circular and Memorandum are shortly to be printed and made generally available. We commend them to the attention of our readers.
Juvenile Delinquency
As a sequel to the Conference on this subject convened by the Home Office and the Ministry of Education which took place in March, a Joint Committee was formed to organize a further Conference to deal with the problems raised on a more scientific level in the hope of elucidating the underlying causes of delinquency. The organizations represented on the Committee are : The Howard League for Penal Reform, the Institute for the Scientific Treatment of Delinquency, the British Psychological Society, the Royal MedicoPsychological Association, the Institute of Sociology, and the National Association for Mental Health. The Conference will be held on the morning and afternoon of Saturday, October 1st, at the Royal Institution, and the speakers will be sociologists, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers belonging to various schools of thought.
Invitations have been sent to all the organizations which were represented at the March Conference. It is hoped that there will be a large attendance. A Memorandum issued jointly by the Home Office and the Ministry of Education in April, 1949,* gave provisional figures as to the incidence of juvenile delinquency. These are now available in an amplified form in the 1948 Criminal Statistics.f To quote from the Memorandum, there was in 1948 as compared with 1947, an increase of 26 per cent, in the number of children under 14 found guilty of indictable offences (principally larceny and breaking and entering), and of 23 per cent, in the case of children between the ages of 14 and 17. For non-indictable offences the figures were respectively 36 per cent, and 15 per cent.
The Memorandum urges Local Authorities to hold representative conferences on juvenile delinquency and to institute an intensive study of the subject in their own areas, to investigate causes and possible remedies.
Such a Conference held by the London County
Council on July 22nd resulted in the setting up of a Committee of 21 members from various organizations (including the N.A.M.H.) with 3 teachers and 6 representatives of the Council itself. The Training of Mental Defectives as a Career Four years ago the N.A.M.H.’, with the approval of the Board of Control, initiated a Year’s Course for men and women wishing to work in Occupation Centres and Children’s Departments of Institutions for defectives. To the 48 students previously trained, 20 have just been added on the completion of the fourth course. The majority of the students who hold the Association’s Diploma are not new recruits to the profession but have sought training in order to make themselves more efficient. Four Indians have taken the course and several exstudents are members of religious communities carrying on work for defectives in Eire. Of the total number so far trained, however, 26 are new entrants to the profession and 13 new Occupation Centres have been opened under supervisors trained by the Association. The demand for qualified people in this field continues to be far greater than the supply, and it is satisfactory to be able to record that for the next course beginning in September the number of students will be considerably larger than it has ever been before. Amongst these students it is hoped to include two or three selected by the Northern Ireland Hospital Board which is contemplating the opening of Occupation Centres as part of its scheme under the recently initiated Mental Health Service.
Education in 1948
In the Ministry of Education’s Report for 1948 recently issued, an attempt is made to assess the general effects of the extension of the school leaving age. It is interesting to note that, despite the difficulties due to inadequate premises, equipment and teaching staff, the gains are considered to be substantial. The results have been seen at their best in :
” an increased maturity and poise, a growth of independence and resourcefulness and a greater confidence in speech. Whilst still at school, these boys and girls were able to achieve a more adult and equal relationship with their teachers. They were helped, too, to feel that they could make a real contribution to the social life of the school.
It is noted, however, that the success or failure of the extra year is dependent pre-eminently on the * H.M. Stationery Office. 2d. t Ibid. 2s. quality of the teaching staff. Where they showed energy and initiative, there was success, in the absence of these qualities ” the year was largely wasted and the children themselves were resentful and frustrated This factor counted far more than the presence or absence of material amenities and adequate equipment.
Chapter V of the Report deals with ” Special Services “, from which we learn that a certain amount of progress has been made in the provision ?f accommodation for educationally subnormal and maladjusted children. Thus in 1947 and 1948, taken together, 12 new Boarding Schools (accom. 687) and 9 new Day Schools (accom. 693), together with 5 new Boarding Homes (accom. 162) were opened for E.S.N, children. For maladjusted children, 3 new Boarding Schools (accom. 105) and 15 new Boarding Homes (accom. 255) were opened. In addition, Local Education Authorities, with the Minister’s approval, have given financial assistance to a small number of Independent Schools receiving 9ategories of handicapped children for whom ‘^sufficient accommodation exists. In such cases, the responsibility for deciding on the Schools’ suitability rests with the Authority concerned.
World Mental Health
The second assembly of the World Health Organization took place in Rome during June this year, it was especially noteworthy for the importance given in the discussions to the question of Cental health, and also for a larger number than at the first assembly of delegations from among the countries represented which included psychiatric exPerts. The World Federation for Mental Health, which as a non-governmental body having consultat!ve status with W.H.O. and U.N.E.S.C.Q. is entitled to send observers, was represented by Dr J. R. Rees, C.B.E.
A complete plan for mental health work, put forward by the executive board of the World Health Organization and based on recommendations made by the various groups working for the International Congress on Mental Health, held in London last year, was considered. Although sufficient funds were not available for its full ?mplementation at the present time, an allocation for a mental health programme for the ensuing year was made which compared very favourably with allocations made to other health programmes submitted to the World Health Organization. This can be regarded as a good beginning, due in large measure to the work of the World Federation for Mental Health, and in the words of its President, Dr Rees, ” the fact that there was agreement from the 70 nations present, on the necessity, and indeed the urgency of a mental health programme, is significant
It is clear that the World Federation will have an important role to fill with the World Health Organization, and also in influencing public opinion in support of its mental health programme designed to prevent mental illness and to promote the mental health of peoples throughout the world. The extent and scope of the Federation’s activities will, however, depend upon the amount of financial help which it receives from the countries represented on it, and an earnest plea for further funds in support of its work is made.
A full account of the proceedings of the second assembly of the World Health Organization is published in the August issue of The Bulletin, the official organ of the World Federation for Mental Health (annual subscription 5s.), and copies of this and all information concerning the Federation may be obtained on application to the Hon. Secretary, Dr Kenneth Soddy, 19 Manchester Street, London, W.l.
The proceedings of the International Conference on Mental Health, held in London in August, 1948, have now been published in four separate parts. They provide a most valuable verbatim record of the proceedings, and will refresh the memories of all who attended these stimulating sessions. They also provide serious reading for those who were unable to do so. The Report has been sent to those who originally applied, but further copies can be obtained from Messrs. H. K. Lewis & Co., Ltd., 136 Gower Street, London, W.C.I.
” Your Child at School ” Under this general title, the Wallasey Education Authority has issued a series of pamphlets addressed to parents and dealing with different stages of a child’s progress from Nursery School to the end of the Primary Education period. Pamphlets dealing with secondary education are in preparation. So far the only ones issued in this latter connection are ” Children Growing Up consisting chiefly of a list of books suitable for reading by the intelligent parent, and ” The Way Ahead explaining the local facilities for secondary education and the factors determining to which type of school a child shall be sent.
The total series planned consists of 14 pamphlets of which six are so far available. ” The Nursery School “The Infant School “, and the “Junior School” briefly describe objects and methods. Each is prefaced by a letter to be signed by the Head Teacher addressed personally to the parents concerned and inviting their co-operation, and is profusely illustrated by photographs taken in local schools. One pamphlet on ” Children with Difficulties “, describing the schools’ psychological service, seeks to help parents to understand special problems and to explain where advice about them can be obtained. Photographs here are replaced by humorous drawings by ” Ionicus ” of Punch, illustrating the types of situations which may lead to difficulties if wrongly handled.
This enterprise, which has been carried through with the help of experts in the different subjects dealt with, should be of real value in securing the intelligent interest of parents in the welfare of their children.
N.A.M.H. Residential Services
Short Term Home for M.D. Children The Home at Walmer referred to in our last issue is now in use as a Holiday Home, but in October it will become available for the reception of individual mentally defective children whose mothers are temporarily unable to look after them by reason of illness, etc., or who need some respite from the strain. All types of cases will be taken, including those needing nursing care, and the charges will vary between 2 guineas and 3? guineas according to the amount of care needed. The Matron, Miss Knott, was formerly in charge of the Association’s Home at Basingstoke and is a fully trained nurse. Applications should be made to the Secretary of the Residential Services Committee, 39 Queen Anne Street, W.l.
Experimental Approved School
The Approved School for adolescent girls in need of psychiatric treatment for which the Association was asked by the Home Office to be responsible, is now open, at Duncroft, Staines. The following appointments have been made : Psychiatrists (part-time), Dr Alfred Torrie and Dr William Craik ; Educational Psychologist (part-time), Mrs. Michaels ; Psychiatric Social Worker (full-time), Miss Prager. The Head Mistress is Miss A. Brown, B.A., formerly Head of the Home Office Classifying Centre at The Shaw, Lancashire. Mrs. Fowle, a member of the N.A.M.H. staff, is the Correspondent.
Parents of Backward Children
In our last issue, we referred to an interesting new development in the Mental Health field, viz. that originating in the efforts of parents themselves to band together for the purpose of promoting the welfare of mentally defective children and of calling attention to their needs.
An account has reached us of the formation of yet another such group?designating itself as the South of England Branch of the Association of Parents of Backward Children (founded by Mrs. Fryd of Harpenden) whose Secretary is Mr. H. D. F.
Hutchings, 3 Willowhayne Gardens, Worcester Park, Surrey. It has already a considerable membership, drawn in part from parents of children attending Occupation Centres and in Institutions, and meets every three months. A large part of the time at meetings is left free for informal discussion in order that members ” may tell each other of their difficulties “, thus helping in the breaking down of ” the isolation and self-pity which every parent of a backward child feels The Secretary cordially invites enquiries from anyone interested and will be glad to enrol new members from districts South of the Thames.
There is no doubt that this movement, once launched, will quickly make headway, and one urgent need created by it is for literature of a type untechnical and practical enough to be helpful to parents. A small pamphlet originally issued by the Central Association for Mental Welfare under the title “Children who can Never go to School” has been revised and enlarged and can now be obtained from the N.A.M.H.* On another page will be found a note on a recently published booklet written by an experienced worker with mentally defective children, dealing more especially with educational training but intended primarily for parents. Booklets issued by the Sunfield Children’s Homes, Clent, Worcestershire, “To the Parents of a Mongol Child ” and ” The Brain-Injured Child “,f can also be obtained and include much helpful information and advice based on the particular philosophy which underlies the methods advocated. We are also glad to draw attention to an attractive illustrated 60 page booklet on ” The Backward Child ” which has reached us from the Information Services Division of the Department of National Health and Welfare, Ottawa, Canada. Dr Stogdill, Chief of the Mental Health Division, contributes an encouraging Foreword and every aspect of the care and training of a defective is dealt with in the 14 short chapters into which the booklet is divided. Bournemouth Association for Mental Health Following the successful course of public lectures held in Bournemouth last autumn under the auspices of the Local Association and of the N.A.M.H., a further series of six weekly lectures has been arranged to take place on Fridays at 7.45 p.m., beginning on October 21st, 1949. The subject of the course is ” Aggressiveness in Human Relations ” and the lecturers will include Dr J. A. Hadfield, Dr Alan Maberly and Dr R. F. Tredgold. Tickets (15s. for the whole Course or 3s. 6d. for single lectures) and further particulars may be obtained from Miss Haskett-Smith (Hon. Secretary of the Bournemouth Association), 41 Danecourt Road, Parkstone, Dorset, or from N.A.M.H., 39 Queen Anne Street, London, W.l. Durham County Association for Mental Health During the past few months there has been considerable interest in Mental Health Work in Durham City and, as a result of a number of discussions which the N.A.M.H. Regional Representatives had with local people, it was decided to haveameeting of those interested. This took place in May in the Education Department of the University (at the kind invitation of Professor Eaglesham, Professor of Education) and was addressed by the Medical Director of the National Association, * Price lOd. post free.
f Price respectively, Is. 6d. and Is. 9d. Or. A. Torrie. As a result, a local Association for Mental Health was formed with Professor E- A. Peel, Professor of Psychology, Durham University as the first Chairman and Miss Cooper Hodgson, M.B.E., as Hon. Secretary. A Committee was appointed and is already making Plans for meetings and discussion groups throughout Durham County for the winter. The members of the Committee include the following :?Mr. G. R. Bull (Town Clerk), Dr Dunn (Medical Superintendent, Aycliffe Mental Deficiency Colony), Mr. L. S. Mills (Psychologist, Aycliffe Approved School), Miss D. M. Daldy (Lecturer in Education, Durham University), Miss M. Graham (Headmistress of the Girls’ Grammar School, Durham), and Miss M. B. Swann (Regional Representative).
The establishment of active Local Associations, able to study and deal with local problems and ^eeds, has always been strongly advocated by the National Association and we wish this new body every success in its pioneer efforts.
n-A.M.H. New Publications Attention is drawn to the list of recent publications vvhich can be obtained from 39 Queen Anne Street, advertised in this issue.
Foster-Home Finding : an Experiment (price Is.), should be of use to Children’s Officers and other s?cial workers and to members of Local Authorities and voluntary bodies concerned in the boarding-out ?f children. It records an experiment in a selected area carried out in 1947-48, under a representative |5cal committee, with the object of compiling a Central Register of Foster-Homes available for all authorities and organizations in the area who wish to make use of it. An appendix gives a detailed description of four cases illustrative of the varied types of placements made by the Association’s Worker, Miss Mary Maw.
. From After-Care to Community Service (price 9d.), ls written by Mrs. Pauline C. Shapiro, who is a Psychiatric social worker formerly employed as a Regional Representative of the N.A.M.H. when she ^as responsible in her area for the after-care of men and women discharged from the Services on account of psychiatric disability. The pamphlet? originally published as an article in the British Journal of Psychiatric Social Work?contains a record of illustrative cases dealt with, designed to show the type of work that could be carried on under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act which gives Local Health Authorities power to set UP a preventive community ” care and after-care ” service in the mental health field.
The Need for Understanding the Individual
(Price 3d.), is a reprint of the paper given at the Mental Health Conference in March, 1949, by Professor J. C. Spence, dealing with this subject in relation to the training and function of doctors and nurses. The paper received widespread attention, and it is hoped that in its present form it may be read by many members of the medical and nursing professions who would be unlikely to procure the full Conference Report.
Local Authority Officers in Mental Health Service The National Association has during the past year run several courses for Relieving Officers and other Local Authority Officials transferred to mental health social work, and another course is to be held in London, from Tuesday, October 18th to November 4th, 1949.
The course is being organized in conjunction with the Extra Mural Department of the University of London and will take place at the University Examination Halls, South Kensington. It will consist of lectures and discussions, with some visits of observation, and is intended to occupy the students’ full time. From experience it has been found that the maximum benefit cannot be gained from the course if an officer is required to carry on some of his ordinary duties whilst in attendance, but Saturday mornings have been left free if interviews at the Local Authority’s offices are necessary for purposes of case consultations.
The fee for the course is ?15 15s. Applications should have been in by September 15th, but those later than this may receive consideration. Professional Association of Child Psychotherapists (Non-Medical)
As an outcome of a working party convened last year, under the chairmanship of Dr Kenneth Soddy, there has now been forrqed a professional Association of Child Psychotherapists (non-medical), the membership of which will ultimately be limited to those who have successfully completed a recognized course of training in child psychotherapy. For the first three years people already employed in this field, who have not taken such a course, will be eligible. The scope and content of a specialized course has also been considered by the working party who recommended that it should be spread over three years, and be comparable in standard and quality with postgraduate courses conducted by universities by whom it should ultimately be taken over.
Candidates for admission must hold an honours degree in psychology, or its recognized equivalent in arts or science, with an appropriate postgraduate diploma in psychology ; but for the next five years the certificate in mental health, or certain high qualifications in fields other than psychology, together with special experience and aptitude, may be accepted. In addition, candidates must have had at least 12 months’ continuous practical experience with children and they will be required to satisfy a selection committee of their personal suitability for training.
Enquiries and applications for membership should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary of the Association, Miss D. M. Wills, c/o N.A.M.H., 39 Queen Anne Street, W.l.
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