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RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENTS WITH NEIGHBOURING BOROUGHS. Mothers and children are
enabled, if they so desire, to attend clinics nearest their homes, and these arrangements
have continued throughout the year.
CHILD LIFE PROTECTION. This is now the responsibility of the Children's Committee.
It was agreed that from September 5th, 1949 all duties connected with Child Life Protection
should be undertaken by the Children's Officer.
CARE OP THE UNMARRIED MOTHER AND HER BABY. During the year there were 148 illegitimate
births accounting for 4.5% of all live births. Whenever possible, unmarried mothers are encouraged
to make use of the services provided for all mothers and babies, but every
endeavour is made to put them in touch with the appropriate organisation when special help is
required. In this respect much devoted service has been given by the Moral Welfare Worker
provided through the agency of the Chelmsford Diocesan Moral Welfare Association. This Welfare
Worker's friendly advice and practical assistance are available, not only to those unmarried
mothers who are admitted to a hostel, but to all those who care to seek her help. The
Council is fortunate it having within its area St.Agatha's Moral Welfare Hostel which is under
the auspices of the above Association, and very cordial co-operation exists between the
Council's officers and the Moral Welfare Worker who resides at the hostel.
During the year 11 West Ham mothers were admitted to St.Agatha's. Of these, 6 were
admitted before the birth of the baby and 5 after.
A grant of £100 from the Sunday Entertainment Fund was made to St.Agatha's Hostel.
Persons concerned with the welfare of the unmarried mother are conscious of a gap in
the existing services. There is need for the provision of hostels to which the mother could
be admitted on discharge from the Maternity Unit, and where she and her baby could remain for
a considerable and somewhat indefinite period. While in the hostel the mother would be given
simple training in Child Care and Household Management, and would be subject to friendly
supervision, though not to rigid discipline. After the lapse of time required for recuperation
the mother would go out to work knowing that her baby would be looked after during her absence.
This arrangement would tide the mother over that very difficult period during which she has no
adequate means of support yet does not wish to surrender her baby nor her independence. It
would give her more time to come to a considered decision regarding the future of herself and
her baby. In the absence of such provision, the mother is often compelled by circumstances to
offer her baby for adoption against her own feelings and wishes, and sometimes to her bitter
regret.
PREMATURE INFANTS. 209 premature babies (babies weighing 5½ lbs. or under) were notified
during 1949 and of these 56 were born at home and l43 in hospital. Of those born at home
9 were transferred to hospital.