View report page

29
CHILD LIFE PROTECTION.
PUBLIC HEALTH (LONDON) ACT, 1936.
Sections 256 -272.
I have received the following report from Miss G. Briggs.
At the beginning of the year under review, the names of 32 foster
mothers and 47 foster children were on the register.
During the year, 1 foster mother has removed from the district and
the names of 6 others have been removed from the register at their request.
The homes of 7 new foster mothers were inspected and found suitable
for reception of 1 child each, and permission was accordingly given.
Although the home conditions vary considerably, the children appear
to be reasonably well cared for. Where conditions have been found
unsatisfactory, a letter has been sent, but it has not been necessary to
take any proceedings.
Some foster parents become very attached to the children, and in
3 cases the children have been legally adopted.
There are also several cases where the children are being kept,
although no payment has been received for some time.
All foster mothers with foster children under five years of age are
encouraged to visit the Welfare Centre.
During the year, 7 children had treatment in hospital, and 1—a
baby 3 months old—died.
One child, after being returned to its mother, was found to be
without a proper home. The National Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Children was informed, and arrangements were made for the
child to be admitted to an L.C.C. home.
In addition to foster children, there are, in some of the homes,
several day children. The number varies from day to day, and has not
been taken into account when the number of foster children has been
fixed.
There are now on the register 32 foster mothers and 41 foster children;
37 children have left the care of foster mothers or have reached the age
of nine years, whilst 31 new children have been received.
During the year, 729 visits were made, of which 39 were night visits.