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25 [1938
CHILD LIFE PROTECTION.
(Public Health (London) Act, 1936, Sections 256-272.)
The number of foster-children on the Register during the year 1938 shows a
further diminution on the previous year to 392 from 401. The number between 5
and 9 years has increased from 61 to 87 so that the decrease is entirely among those
foster-children under 5 years of age. Of this decrease the chief proportion is due to a
diminution in the number of children with foster-mothers, children in Institutions
under 5 years of age being increased by 8.
The number of satisfactory foster-mothers continues to be inadequate in relation
to the demand for them. The amount that many of the mothers who desire to have
their children fostered can afford to pay is insufficient in many cases to cover the cost
of maintenance on a reasonable standard in a good home, and there is therefore the
tendency, which has to be continually checked, of attempting to place a child in an
unsuitable home at lower cost.
During the year 1938, 35 applications for foster-mothers were received but only
25 were recommended as suitable. The remaining 10 were advised to refrain from
taking a child and eventually alternative arrangements were made by co-operation
with the mother in respect of these children.
No legal proceedings were instituted.
There were 3 deaths of foster-children during the year as against 8 in the previous
year. All these deaths occurred in hospitals. The certified causes of the deaths
were :—(i) acute infective enteritis ; (ii) acute bronchitis, marasmus, vaccinia (an
inquest was held in this case) ; (iii) dehydration from acute gastro-intestinal catarrh.
All these children were six months of age or under.
The Child Protection Visitor continued to co-operate with the National Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children where the circumstances made this desirable.
During the year an opportunity was taken of thoroughly overhauling the register.