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privately without a reward element now come within the scope of the Act),
but the relevant part of the Act did not come into effect until 1st.January,
1970. Any person who undertakes the care of a child not a close relative
is advised to give notice under this Act to the Children's Officer as in
most cases there is a legal requirement to do so.
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 Borough maintains a number of Children's Homes including a training
nursery and a boy's remand home, but a large number of children in residential
care are still cared for by arrangement in private homes and homes
provided by other local authorities and voluntary bodies. In most of these
homes considerable difficulty has been experienced in maintaining proper
levels of staffing.
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 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 aged0-6 months.
Monthly - for children aged 6 months to 2 years.
Quarterly - for children aged 2 years and over.
On discharge.
(c) Height (for children aged 2 years and over)-
On admission.
Quarterly,
F. 3