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because of adverse factors occurring during the mother's pregnancy or labour, are
"at risk" of developing such handicaps. Information provided by general
practitioners, hospitals and midwives is supplemented by the observation of clinic
doctors and health visitors.
Every child whose name is on the handicap and observation register is brought
forward for review by a senior medical officer at appropriate intervals, so that the
necessary remedial action may be taken.
A special review to consider the need for special education is arranged at
regular intervals.
OCCASIONAL CRECHES
These are provided at selected Welfare Centres for the minding of small groups
of children from two to five years of age, whilst their mothers visit hospital, attend
to shopping or other domestic duties, or take part in the activities of the Welfare
Centre where the creche is held.
The charge for the service is 1/9d per child abatable in necessitous cases.
No charge is made when the parent is attending a centre activity or a hospital
appointment.
PREVENTION OF BREAK-UP OF FAMILIES
Co-ordination of Services
The Standing Committee for Co-ordination continued its work during the year.
Quarterly meetings were held, two under the Chairmanship of the Medical
Officer of Health and two under the Chairmanship of the Children's Officer. The
Committee which co-ordinates the services available in Lambeth to prevent child
neglect and the break-up of families, includes the chief officers of the Health,
Children's, Housing and Welfare Departments, with the appropriate Senior Officers,
the Associate Town Clerk and senior representatives of the Inner London
Education Department, the Greater London Council Housing Department and the
local offices of the Ministry of Social Security. During the year existing procedures
were reviewed and amended.
A routine for closer liaison with the Probation Service was agreed, as were
the basic principles for the establishment of a residential rehabilitation unit in the
Welfare Department, and the provision of a strictly limited amount of long-term
sheltered accommodation, at assessed rents, under casework supervision by the
Housing Department for families incapable of response to rehabilitation. In July
1966 an index of families was set up by the Children's Officer to facilitate
consultation with the police and N.S.P.C.C.