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 the names of 32 foster mothers and
42 foster children were on the register and at the end of the year there
were 24 foster mothers and 35 foster children.
The number of foster mothers has decreased owing to four having
removed to other boroughs, eight names removed by request and three
where foster children have reached the age of nine years.
One foster mother died suddenly and immediate steps were taken
to ensure the children were cared for and later arrangements were made
to admit them to a home.
Nine new applications were received from women who were desirous
of taking a foster child and after the homes were inspected eight names
were added to the register.
On account of the number of foster mothers having decreased there
are fewer foster children in the Borough. Many enquiries have been
made by persons wishing to find a foster mother for their children, but
owing to the lack of vacancies a number of them were referred to other
districts.
The number of new foster children is 37 and the number removed
or reached the age of nine years is 44. Early in the year seven foster
children were removed to hospital with measles, each made good recovery;
later three other children had whooping cough and recovered satisfactorily.
One foster child who had not been registered died and a coroner's
inquest was held. This child was received for a few days as a day child
and later slept at the house for several nights but was not registered.
The foster mother has now ceased to have foster children.
•Several foster mothers have children in their care for whom no
payment has been made for a considerable time, but in each case the
child is being well cared for.
There are at present only three foster mothers who take in day
children. The number received by each is usually one child.
During the year 711 visits have been paid, 13 of which were special
visits. Five homes were visited after 7 p.m.; the children were in bed
and the cots were clean and satisfactory.
Most of the foster mothers with children under five years of age
attend the Welfare Centre for advice.