ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the work of the psychiatric social worker under the headings of child guidance, the mental hospital and the local health authority. The Second World War at first produced a substantial disorganization of the developing child guidance service, but gradually the psychological needs of a large number of children separated from their homes became apparent. The view of psychiatric social work as therapy appealed to one part of the profession and seemed unacceptable to the rest. It raised issues of considerable importance both for the life of the Association and for the theoretical formulation of the ends and methods of psychiatric social work. At this point it is sufficient to state that the practice of psychiatric social workers varied considerably in their interviews with parents. The Maudsley Child Guidance Clinic, used for student training, has always emphasized some kind of consultative service and provincial clinics have nearly always been concerned with serving the local community.
