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accommodation. The husband was incapacitated by a brain tumour, and
after the operation suffered loss of balance, deafness and epilepsy.
The wife suffered from asthma. This was a responsible and closely
knit family who were bravely striving to retain independence but
began to show signs of strain after becoming homeless. With
encouragement, the husband secured employment in one of the New
Towns but he was not offered immediate housing. Continued support
was given to the family and liaison with the authority concerned
resulted in the family being happily rehoused.
(2) Family consisting of an Australian woman and four children; evicted
for rent arrears; unable to find accommodation; admitted to
temporary accommodation. The woman and children had been brought to
the United Kingdom from Australia by a man who had deserted them six
weeks after arrival, and she had always wanted to return there. The
woman led a precarious, irresponsible, emotional existence; she was
anxious and unsure of herself and the strain from her insecurity
showed in irritability and depression. By concentrated casework, the
woman greatly improved, keeping the home clean and the children
better behaved, and it was considered that permanent rehabilitation
could be effected if she were re-united with her relations. Steps
were taken to endeavour to repatriate the family. They were
eventually rehoused, and the negotiations to repatriate to
Australia terminated successfully.
Mothers and Babies.
Provision for the unmarried mother and her child is made under
Section 21(1)(b) of the National Assistance Act, 1948. The majority are
first baby cases and the practice is to arrange admission to one of the
homes run by voluntary societies for a suitable period before and after
confinement. The Council pay an agreed weekly charge. Others are
admitted to the Council's mother and baby unit at King's Mead.

72 domiciled in London. 18 domiciled outside London.