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it has been possible by a rearrangement of the accommodation to secure an improvement,
but in others this has not been so, and the foster parents have in such cases
been urged either to return the infant in their charge to its parent or to obtain other
and more suitable accommodation. The lack of suitable housing accommodation
has added to the difficulty in dealing with these cases.
Advantage is taken of the local infant welfare centres to advise foster mothers
with regard to weak or ailing children. The visitors watch such cases and see that
the treatment advised is carried out. If the visitor is doubtful as to whether progress
of the infant is good, the matter is formally reported with a view to an inspection
by one of the Council's Medical Officers. The practice has worked very satisfactorily
for some years now, and is of assistance to the visitors. When the nurse infant
reaches the age of 7 years he ceases to be under the Act, but as he usually attends
school from the age of 5 years, the additional advantage of supervision by the school
medical service is available for him from that age. During 1927 there were 34 deaths
of nurse infants, as compared with 26 in 1926. Inquests were held in 14 cases, as
compared with 9 in the previous year. In 10 cases the verdict was death from natural
causes, as compared with 6 in the previous year, and in 4 cases, accidental death,
as compared with 3 in the previous year. No blame was attached to the foster
mother in any of the cases.
The Adoption of Children Act, 1926, came into force on 1st January, 1927.
The Act provides that infants (under the age of 21 years) who have never been
married may be legally adopted, the parents relinquishing all rights and responsibilities,
which are thereupon assumed by the petitioners. Application may be dealt
with by a High Court, a County Court, or a Court of Summary Jurisdiction. Any
of these Courts may make an interim order, fixing a probationary period during
which the applicant may have the custody of the child, or may give a full adoption
order. Section 8 (3) of the Act enables the Court to appoint some person or body
to act as guardian ad litem upon the hearing of the application with the duty of safeguarding
the interests of the infant before the Court, and where the body so appointed
is a local authority, may authorise the authority to incur any necessary expenditure.
At the request of the Secretary of State for the Home Department, the Council on
8th March. 1927, agreed for an experimental period of one year to act as guardian
ad litem of infants under the Act when so requested by County Courts and Courts of
Summary Jurisdiction. During the period from that date, up to 14th December, 1927,
88 cases relating to children coming under Part 1 of the Children Act, 1908, were
before the Courts. In the joint report presented to the Council on 8th March, it was
agreed that the Medical Officer through the infant life protection visitor should deal
with such cases. Of these 83 full adoption orders were made, three interim adoption
orders, one application was withdrawn, and one adjourned. The officers have been
of considerable assistance to applicants in connection with the filling up of the forms
to be submitted to the Court. This has assisted the Courts and has been a boon to
many petitioners. When the petitioner for the child proposed to be adopted resides
outside the Administrative County of London the information as to any details
necessary has been readily furnished by the local authorities for that area, and the
Council in return has furnished information to local authorities outside the London
area. Reference is made earlier in this report to the fact that the Court may authorise
any public body to incur any necessary expenditure. Up to the present time,
however, the out-of-pocket expenses during the year have been trivial.
Mental Deficiency Act, 1913.
On the 31st December, 1927,4,801 cases were being dealt with at the expense of
the Council. Of these, 2,762 were in institutions; 48 under guardianship; 1,964
under supervision; and 27 in places of safety waiting other action. During the year
702 cases were examined with the following results :—
Adoption of
Children
Act, 1926.