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Care of Illegitimate Children.
In co-operation with the Ministry of Health, the London
County Council and all other London boroughs, the Council:-
(a) operated a scheme of guaranteed payments
to foster mothers, and
(b) provided greater financial assistance
to voluntary bodies.
The scheme for guaranteed payments to foster mothers
first came into operation in 1945, and provided for the payment
to approved foster mothers of 17s.6d. per week for a child
under one year of age, and 15s.0d. per week for a child over
one year and under five years. The payment per foster child
was increased during 1946 to 21s,0d. A scale was approved
by the Council under which the weekly contribution by the
mother from her own resources is assessed.
In one case during 1947 the Council were required to
make the guaranteed payment to a foster mother.
In 1945, five London moral welfare organisations submitted
a scheme for improving their services involving an additional
expenditure, for the first year, of £5,615. It was agreed by
London boroughs that the apportionment of this amount should be
on the basis of rateable value, and Kensington's contribution
amounted to £305 per annum.
During 1947, Kensington's contribution remained the same,
with the proviso that it covered the period up to the 4th July,
1948, when the London County Council assumed responsibility.
Care of Premature Infants.
The Council have adopted proposals for the care of
premature infants, including the loan of special equipment,
the supply of breast milk, the service of a paediatrician,
etc.
During the year under review, the births in the borough
of 58 premature infants were notified. Of these, 50 were
born at home and eight in nursing homes. Of those born at
home, 44 survived at the end of one month, three infants
died within 24 hours, and three others died before reaching
the age of one month. Of the eight children born in
nursing homes, six survived at the end of one month;
the remaining two died in the first twenty-four hours.
(Note. These figures do not include Kensington
premature infants born outside the borough, as the Ministry
of Health have requested that these births should be
reported on by the local authorities in whose areas the
confinements actually occurred.)