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1935]
20
Complaint of improper care in 6 cases was received and investigated, 2 of
which led to prosecutions, and in one of these an Order from a Justice had to be
obtained before the foster-mother would give up possession of the child. At the
subsequent proceedings in the Police Court, this foster-mother was fined 10/- and
ordered to pay 20/- costs for failing to notify a change of residence. This fostermother
had been warned previously for a similar offence. In the second case
proceedings were instituted for failing to notify a change of residence, with a like
result as to fine and costs.
Upon the Infant Protection Visitor reporting the above 6 cases, besides the
two mentioned (Prosecutions), 3 were dealt with by the Maternity and Child
Welfare Committee without recourse to legal proceedings, and the other was
satisfactorily attended to by her. Of the three " Committee " cases, permission
was given to one foster-mother for the nurse-child to be placed in a Day Nursery
while the foster-mother was at work, pending the child's admission into Dr.
Barnardo's homes. In another of these cases the child's mother was prevailed
upon to find a foster-mother of a more satisfactory character, and no other children
have been placed with the foster-mother complained of. The third case resulted
in a night visit, mentioned below.
Night visits were paid by the Superintendent and the Infant Protection Visitor
to 3 foster-mothers, one of whom (referred to in the last paragraph) was subsequently
summoned to appear before the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee
on a charge of neglectful conduct towards the children under her care. This has
resulted in a very marked improvement in the welfare of the children and the
observance by the foster-mother of the requirements of the Acts. The other two
visits showed that good care was being taken of the children during the night.
Upon receipt of a notification from a person that she proposes to take a child
for reward, the Infant Protection Visitor makes an investigation as to the suitability
of the person and the premises, and in 8 cases conditions were such that the
persons were advised to refrain from taking a child, and this advice was followed.
During the year 3 deaths of foster-children occurred, one in the Royal
Northern Hospital, one in St. Mary, Islington, Hospital, and the other in a
" Home." No inquests were held. In each case the child was under 4 months
of age.
In the Royal Northern Hospital case there was no post-mortem, the cause of
death being gastro enteritis and broncho-pneumonia. In the St. Mary, Islington,
Hospital case a post-mortem was held, and the cause of death certified as gastroenteritis
and marasmus. The " Home " case was found dead in bed, and the
post-mortem showed the cause of death to be acute bronchitis and gastro-enteritis.
In both the hospital cases the children were in poor condition when received by
the foster-mother, and upon no improvement being made by careful feeding and
attention, the assistance of the hospital was obtained.
Number of foster-mothers on the Register who were receiving
children on the 1st January, 1935 142
Do. do. on the 31st December, 1935 137
Number of foster-mothers added to the Register during the year 34
Number of foster-mothers removed from the Register during the
year 3
Number of foster-children on the Register at 31st December, 1935 212*
Number of foster-children attending Child Welfare Clinics 92
*Includes those in institutions, etc.