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In December, 1946, a report on the Infant Welfare Services
was presented to the Health and Welfare Committee; after considering
this report the Committee recommended that an additional
Health Visitor be appointed to commence duty on 1st April, 1947,
and that additional sessions should be held at two of the Infant
Welfare Centres. It has not been found possible to secure this
additional help up to the present.
UNMARRIED MOTHERS.
During the year the cases of 16 unmarried mothers were
brought to the notice of the Department. Of these 13 were reported
by the Social Worker of the Rochester Diocesan Moral Welfare
Council, 2 by Midwives or Health Visitors, and 1 by the Catholic
Rescue Society.
Arrangements were made for 9 of these cases to enter special
Hostels maintained by the Rochester Diocesan and other Moral
Welfare Societies, the remaining 7 making their own arrangements.
Of the 13 babies born, 1 died aged 3 months, 1 aged
7 months, 6 remained in the care of their mothers, 3 were adopted
under the Adoption of Children Act, and 1 was boarded out with a
foster mother under the Infant Life Protection Act. 1 left the area.
In addition there were 27 other illegitimate births not reported
until the notification of birth was received.
These cases create a considerable social problem and the
present resources are not adequate to deal with them all.
More Hostel accommodation is urgently required, where the
mothers can remain long enough to have time to arrange for their
future in the best interests of themselves and the children.
ADOPTION ACT, 1939.
The Health Department receives notification under this Act
for the proposed adoption of children.
The Registered Adoption Societies ask the Department for a
report on the home before placing any child and this is a very
useful procedure.
Any person who acts as a third party in arranging an adoption
is required to give notice to the Health Department but in many
cases arrangements are made direct between the parent and the
adopter.
Information was received from 4 registered Adoption Societies
and 9 other bodies during the year relating to 41 children and all
the homes visited regularly. Adoption orders were made by, the
Courts in 27 cases; in three cases the applications were withdraw n
and 11 were still under consideration at the end of 1946.
Close liaison is maintained with the Education Officer in cases
coming under the provisions of this Act.
PROVISION OF MILK, MILK FOODS, ETC.
A stock of dried milks and other foods is kept at the Centres
and sold to the mothers at cost price. During the year foods to
the value of approximately £3,000 were sold.
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