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Home Help.
The Council's Home Helps attended 26 cases during the year in comparison
with 19 in the year 1930. In six of these the whole-time officer attended entirely
and in 15 she attended during the earlier part of the lying-in period, being
replaced later by one of the Home Helps from the emergency panel in order to
take over new cases. In five cases an emergency Home Help only was employed.
The emergency Home Helps were engaged when more than one case occurred at
the same time and during the absence of the Home Help on summer vacation and
sick leave.
All applications for the services of the Home Help are considered by the
Assistance Sub-Committee of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee.
In six cases of extreme necessity the services of the Home Help were granted
free. In all other cases the applicants were required to contribute towards the cost,
contributions ranging from 2s. 6d. per week up to the full cost. The services of the
Home Help have been much appreciated; it has been found that the Council's
provision meets a much felt want in the Borough.
The scheme, of Home Helps could with advantage be extended to any illness
of mothers occurring during pregnancy and after labour. It would also be very
useful to heads of families if they could obtain through the Council the services
of a reliable woman to carry out the duties of the mother when she is incapacitated
by illness, the cost being borne by the applicant.
Convalescent Homes.
Four mothers and their babies were sent away, two being also accompanied
by a second child. In two cases the applicants were required to contribute towards
the cost. These mothers with babies were admitted to convalescent homes
belonging to the Church Army.