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These mothers were in the following age-groups:-
Under 15
Nil
15-19
70
20-24
151
25—29
56
30—34
11
35 and over
9
Not known
2
299
Of these, ninety-nine (or 33.l%) were pregnant on arrival in London,
as compared with 19.3% for Greater London.
The Council continued to grant aid the London Diocesan Council for
Moral Welfare and the Westminster Catholic Moral Welfare Association in
both 1967 and 1968.
Adoption and Boarding Out of Children.
Adoption.
Persons proposing to adopt children are required to submit medical
certificates as to their health before a child is placed with them.
These certificates are verified by the Council's medical officers before
consent is given.
Similarly, the medical records of the children to be adopted are
scrutinised by my department and the Children's Officer advised on the
child's suitability for adoption.
Should the reports reveal any medical defects, inheritable disease
or handicap in the child, further enquiries are made and, in the case
of inheritable disease in the natural parents, the prospective parents
are interviewed by their own practitioner.
Boarding Out.
The medical examination is given in accordance with the Boarding
Out of Children Regulations, 1955. and includes the Wasserman and/or
Kahn tests except where the child is over school leaving age or is
boarded out in an emergency or in accordance with Part III of the
Regulations. Again, the results of these medical examinations are
scrutinised in my department and the Children's Officer informed as to
their suitability.
The following is a summary of the cases dealt with in 1968:-
1968
1967
1966
Adoption Cases
Children suitable for adoption
17
29
22
Children suitable for adoption
subject to certain conditions
-
-
1
Children unsuitable for adoption
1
1
—
Couples suitable to adopt children
17
21
12
Couples unsuitable to adopt children
1
-
-
Boarding Out Cases.
Children suitable for boarding out
21
20
15