Stirling, Isobel Robertson (Dip. Social Study, Edinburgh University)

Biography

Graduating with a Diploma in July 1928, Isobel Robertson Stirling was one of the last students to graduate from the Edinburgh School of Social Study and Training before it was taken over by the University in October that year. After graduating, Isobel completed a mental health course and became a Psychiatric Social Worker at Cherry Knowle Hospital, Ryhope, Sunderland. She was given a salary of £250 and a car allowance of £60. In 1939 she was transferred to the Sunderland Child Guidance Clinic - the first PSW to be officially in charge of a clinic. The clinic had started as a voluntary out growth of the Psychological Department of the Royal Infirmary and the School Medical Service but received official recognition by the Board of Education for grant purposes just before the outbreak of war. Isobel feared the clinic would be shelved but in fact owing to the problems posed by evacuation the authorities saw it as a priority. From her correspondence it is clear that Isobel was tremendously pro-active, giving a wide range of lectures to headmasters, club leaders and housing estate residents. In 1943 she gave a child guidance talk to the Electrical Association for Women. She was involved in planning a scheme for vocational guidance in co-operation with the Labour Exchange. The British Hygiene Council asked her to assist with troups in the area and the BFSW asked her to be a representative in the area for the new Ministry of Health Scheme.

Source: Student Admission File, EUA

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