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83
[1936
It is indeed very fortunate that this Society permits its Inspectors to undertake
investigations of this kind, as a need is undoubtedly filled for a class of case where
persuasion has failed and more energetic measures are necessary to avoid, or remedy,
neglect of ill-treatment of young children, or even of mothers where cruelty or neglect
is likely to have its bad effect on their children. Much credit is due to the Society's
Inspectors for the attempted alleviation of both physical and mental pain 'o children
in the cases attended by them.
PUBLIC HEALTH (LONDON) ACT, 1936—Sections 256 to 272—CHILD
LIFE PROTECTION.
Under this heading it falls to report the Infant Protection Work, the authority
for which in the October of the year under review was incorporated in the Public
Health (London) Act, 1936.
It will be noted that this work shows a steady increase in the number of cases
dealt with.
Among the many cases investigated, however, cause for complaint was found
in but 8 cases. One of these was put forward for prosecution on the instructions of
the Committee; the mother of the child came forward as a witness. The person
concerned was not registered as a foster-mother and had obtained her foster-child
by means of a window advertisement; after a lengthy hearing the magistrate
accepted the evidence of the defendant and dismissed the summons. Two cases
were dealt with by the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee who directed warning
letters to be sent. In 4 cases the children's mothers were prevailed upon to find
foster-mothers of a more satisfactory character and the foster-mother persuaded not
to take further children. In the remaining case the foster-mother herself asked
the parent to find a new home for the child.
As the object of the work, apart from protecting the child, is to have in our
Borough a trustworthy number of foster-mothers who can be confidently recommended,
only cases which are considered serious are put forward for possible
prosecution.
The routine procedure in regard to foster-mothers is upon receipt of a notification
that the proposed foster-mother intends to take or has taken a child for reward,
the Child Protection Visitor makes an investigation as to the suitability of the person
and the premises. It was found in 12 cases conditions were such that the applicants
were advised to refrain from taking a child, and this advice was followed.
There were no known deaths of foster-children during the year, as against 3 in
the previous year.
Number of foster-mothers on the Register who were receiving
children on the 1st January, 1936 198
Do. do. on the 31st December, 1936 229
Number of foster-mothers added to the Register during the year31
Number of foster-mothers removed from the Register by the
Committee during the year Nil
Number of foster-children on the Register at 31st December, 1936 223*
Number of foster-children attending Child Welfare Clinics, 95
„„under private medical practitioners, 6 101
*Includes those in institutions, etc,