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Medical Arrangements
(a) Before a child is boarded-out a full medical examination is undertaken, and the
report is submitted to the Medical Officer of Health for approval that the child is fit to be boardedout
under the Regulations.
(b) Medical Examinations during the boarding-out — A child boarded-out must be examined
by a duly qualified medical practitioner
(i) within one month after being boarded-out, unless the child has attained the age of
2 years, and has been medically examined within three months before being
boarded-out, and
(ii) at least once in every six months if he has not attained the age of two years, or
at least once a year if he has attained that age.
The reports of subsequent medical examinations are not seen by a Medical Officer in
the normal course of events, and would only be referred to the Medical Officer of Health if the
Senior Child Care Officer and Child Care Officer who receive the report were concerned about
any matters affecting the child.
(c) Apart from these statutory requirements for medical examination and report, it is the
duty of the local authority to ensure that adequate arrangements are made for a child boarded-out
to receive medical and dental attention as required. This is dealt with by the Child Care Officer
who, on her visit, would comment on the child's health, and be assured that in fact adequate
arrangements had been made. This generally means that the child is registered with the same
doctor as the foster parents, and there is usually no difficulty.
Child Protection—Children Act, 1958
There is no statutory requirement that a child should be medically examined on being
placed with a private foster parent, but again it would be the responsibility of the visiting Child
Care Officer to be assured, so far as was reasonable, that the child was being well-treated, and
to advise if any medical attention appeared to be necessary.
There is the additional medical supervision given to all children under five by the
Health Visitor under the Public Health Act, and this is followed by medical surveillance provided
by the School Health Service.
Hammersmith Homes
The Administration of Children's Homes Regulations, 1951, provide that the Medical
Officer appointed shall supervise the compilation of a medical record for each child accommodated
in a Home and that this shall contain particulars of the medical history of the child before
admission, so far as it is known; his physical and mental condition on admission; his medical
history while accommodated in the home; and his condition on discharge from the home. A card
is used for this information and is normally kept up to date by the Houseparent-in-Charge.
The Home Office, in July, 1951, recommended
"42 that the frequency of medical examinations, of dental inspections, and of
other routine arrangements should be as follows:
(a) Medical examination—
On admission.
At least monthly for children aged 0—1 year
At least quarterly for children aged 1—5 years
At least yearly for children over the age of 5
On discharge
(b) Weight(in a single garment)—
On admission.
Weekly-for children age 0—6 months.
(82)