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Their casework approach of the families is based principally on
three main conditions
(a) Acceptance by the families of their financial responsibility,
regular payment of charges,, proper budgeting and the payment
of any outstanding debts including rent arrears.
(b) Training of the parents in good standards of child care,
which includes correct feeding, adequate clothing, reasonable
discipline and to assure their children of sincere parental
regard.
Appreciation of the value of regular attendance at school
and a constant care of the health and well being of the
family.
(c) Acceptance by the husband of the necessity of retaining
full employment. Encouragement and assistance is given
when necessary.
The response shown by families was encouraging and resulted in re-housing
being effected within a period of twelve months in most cases.
Examples of two such families are as follows:-
(1) Family consisting of man, wife and four children, two of whom
were in care in a special school for maladjusted children. The
woman was apparently mentally unstable and prone to using excessive
violence in the discipline of her children. The husband, although
in full time employment, spent the greater part of his spare time
with friends and did not share the family's responsibilities. The
woman was trained to rectify her attitude to the children, the two
in care were re-united with the family and have had good reports
from their respective schools, where they have been completely
accepted. The woman has prospered and is a good housewife, proud
of her home and family. The husband has also accepted his
responsibilities and now works overtime for the benefit of his
family.
(2) This family, consisting of man, woman and two children, had been
repeatedly evicted for rent arrears. The husband was almost an
alcoholic and did no work, living mainly on Ministry of Social
Security grants and charity. The wife had a grandiose complex
but was totally incapable of managing even a small household.
The husband was persuaded to undertake a cure in a residential
hostel for alcoholics run by a religious body. He was then
encouraged to find employment and obtained two part-time jobs and
freelance journalism. The woman was trained to keep a clean
household, to budget properly and to have a more reasonable
outlook on life. She was eventually found a part-time job,
while the children were in a day nursery, and paid off her debts.
This family are now re-housed and, with a little support, should
progress favourably.
Mothers and Babies
Provision for unmarried mothers and their children is made under
Section 21(1)(b) of the National Assistance Act, 1948. The majority
are "first baby" cases. 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 were admitted to the Council's mother and baby unit at King's
Mead, but this unit was closed on 15th September, I967.
The following tables show the numbers accommodated during the year:-