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(i) Within one month after being boarded-out, unless the child has
attained the age of 2 years, and had been medically examined
three months before being boarded-out; and
(ii) At least once in every six months if he has not attained the
age of 2 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 received the report were concerned about 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.
The purpose of this Act was to provide that children cared for, (for
reward under private arrangements), were visited by child care staff to
ensure their wellbeing. This Act was amended by the Children and Young
Persons Act, 1969, to broaden the categories of children concerned, (e.g.
children placed privately without a reward element now came 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 Director
of Social Services 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 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 Boys'Remand Home; but a large number of children in
residential care are still cared for by arrangement in private homes, and
in Homes provided by other local authorities and voluntary bodies. In most
of these Homes considerable difficulty has been experienced in maintaining
adequate staffing, However, a gradual review of the staffing of the Homes
is being undertaken, In the Remand Home, the first establishment so
reviewed, this led to an increase of staff with, hopefully, a reduction
in the total hours of work With other improvements in conditions, it is
hoped that, in future, it will be more easy to maintain proper levels of
staffing.
During the year approval was obtained for the construction of two
new Children's Homes in the Borough, and also for the adaptation of some
existing Council-owned premises. These three new establishments will provide
for a total of 59 children in care,
D.33