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CONVALESCENCE.—Convalescence was arranged for 5 (4) children, assistance towards the cost being given in each
case. In addition, 19 (13) children were sent to Homes under the arrangement entered into with the Invalid Children's
Aid Association.
CHILD LIFE PROTECTION.—The duties of Child Protection Visitor are carried out by each Health Visitor in respect
of her own district. In addition, the Medical Officer of Health, the Senior Maternity & Child Welfare Officer and
all the male Sanitary Inspectors are authorised to exercise the powers and duties of Child Protection Visitors for special
purposes.
During the year 226 (275) visits and inspections were made, 11 (13) new registrations of foster mothers were recorded,
18 (23) new children were received and 15 (31) children were removed—1 (2) to hospital and 14 (29) elsewhere. No
deaths were reported. No legal proceedings were necessary.
At the close of the year the Register contained the names of 16 (16) persons who were receiving children for reward.
These persons had charge of 21 (20) children.
In 1943 the Council adopted a scheme in connection with foster mothers for children under five years of age
designed to remove certain weaknesses which had hitherto existed, such as non-payment of fees with consequent
financial loss to the foster mother and failure to secure the attendance of the children at a Welfare Centre. Under
these arrangements the Council is responsible for the collection of the parents' contributions and the payments to the foster
mothers. Details are given below:—
Children eligible. Children under five years of age who are not in receipt of public assistance.
Procedure.—Parents may apply personally at the Welfare Centre or by letter. In necessitous cases
help towards payment may be given.
Foster mothers apply for registration on forms supplied at the Welfare Centre, and the homes are
inspected before acceptance.
Conditions. Foster mothers are required to retain the child for a specified preliminary period before being
accepted on a permanent basis.
A separate cot for each child must be provided and a fireguard always kept in use.
Parents must give a week's notice of intention to remove a child.
Children must attend a Welfare Centre regularly.
The mother must be allowed to visit the child weekly at a suitable time.
The mother is required to pay necessary doctor's fees.
The foster mother must not leave the child except with a responsible person.
The Council retains the right to transfer the child to a suitable institution or to another foster mot her in
emergency.
During the year the Scheme was taken advantage of by 6 (9) foster mothers who had charge of 9 (9) children.
DAILY GUARDIANS.—A scheme is in operation for providing financial assistance to working mothers towards the
cost of caring for children under the age of five years during the day. The mother makes her own arrangement with
the Guardian as to payment, which is supplemented by a grant of 4s. per week for a child cared for on four days or more,
or 2s. per week for a child cared for on less than four days.
Prospective guardians are registered by the Council after interview as to their suitability, and visits are paid to
ensure that home conditions are satisfactory.
During the year 18 (15) persons were registered for the care of 20 (15) children. At the end of the year the register
contained the names of 7 (6) Guardians who had charge of 7 (6) children.
CONTRACEPTIVE ADVICE.—The Council have an arrangement with the North Kensington Women's Welfare Centre
for the giving of contraceptive advice to married women who are already in attendance at a Welfare Centre of the
Council and whose health would be adversely affected by another pregnancy, the cost (10s. 0d.) being borne by the
Council in appropriate cases. No use was made of this arrangement as compared with two cases during the previous
year.
EXTRA NOURISHMENT.—The National Milk Scheme is supplemented, where necessary on medical grounds, by
grants under the Council's scheme. Assistance was given in 24 (20) such cases.