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General
The Children Act, 1948, makes it the duty of a local authority such
as the London Borough of Hammersmith "To receive into its care any child
in its area under the age of 17 years whose parents or guardian are temporarily
or permanently prevented from providing for him properly" and, having
received a child into its care, "To exercise their powers with respect to
him so as to further his best interests and to afford him opportunity for
the proper development of his character". In other words, the Council must
take over the care of children deprived of a normal home life, for short
or long periods, provide a substitute home life for them, and in general
act as a good parent to them whilst they are in care.
687 children were in the care of the London Borough of Hammersmith on
the December,1969, although about 2,000 applications were made to the
Children's Officer for children to be received into care; and the fact that
the number actually received into care was only about one quarter of this
total is a tribute to the quality and quantity of the casework undertaken
by the Children's Officer and her Child Care staff. It also highlights one
aspect of the important preventive powers contained in Section 1 of the
Children and Young Persons Act, 1963.
Although a number of children are in care for quite short periods some
are long-stay cases and these automatically go out of care at 18 years of
age, although in certain circumstances help may be given beyond that age.
Intensive casework is, of course, also required to ensure that a child goes
out of care as soon as circumstances permit. The Children's Service provides
for the care and upbringing of children who have no parents or whose
parents cannot look after them properly, or who are committed by the Juvenile
Courts to the care of the Council as a "Fit Person",or by other Courts in
cases of matrimonial disputes. Additional functions are the finding and
supervision of foster homes for children in care; a wide range of adoption
duties; the protection of children placed for reward apart from their parents
and certain duties concerning children committed to approved schools.
A preventive service is provided under Section 1 of the Children and
Young Persons Act, 1963, which makes it a duty to make available such advice,
guidance,and assistance as may promote the welfare of children by diminishing
the need for them to come into care, or remain in care, or appear before
the Juvenile Court. The advice, guidance, and assistance may include assitance
in kind or, in exceptional circumstances, in cash.
The year 1969 saw the passing of the Children and Young Persons Act,
1969. The act will radically alter the way in which children in trouble are
dealt with and will increase substantially the amount of work which falls
upon the Children's Service. Although no additional work arose in this
respect during 1969, the Police Juvenile Liaison Scheme was started in the
Borough on 31st.March, 1969, and the type of consultation developed under
this scheme will be extended under the new Act.
Ill-treatment or Neglect of Children
It is the statutory duty -of the Children's Officer under Section 62 of the
Children and Young Persons Act, 19.33 (as amended), on receipt of information
suggesting that any child may be in need of care, protection, or control (a)
to cause enquiries to be made into the case, unless satisfied that such enquiries
are unnecessary; and (b) to bring before the Juvenile Court any child
who appears to be in need of care, protection, or control, unless satisfied
that proceedings are about to be taken by some other person. The Health,
Welfare, Housing, and Education Departments notify the Children's Officer
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