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Beethoven street and Essendine road, make no mention of the C.C.H.F. in their
reports. The largest number of C.C.H.F. cases appear to go from Senior-street,
Amberley road and Moberly Schools. Eight prizes for C.C.H.F. competitions were
won by the Moberly girls. Apart from the Care Committee cases it appears that the
number of parents who arrange to take or send their children away in the summer
holidays is increasing, and it seems from the reports that a good proportion are able
to get some change in the course of the year. From the poorer districts, a good
many go hopping, but this is a doubtful benefit. The S. Augustine's boys join the
camp of the Church Lads Brigade. Some of the S. Saviour's boys go away with
the Scouts. A School Journey is arranged for the Moberly girls each spring, apart
from all other holiday arrangements.
Cases of Neglect and Cruelty—As we might expect from the reports as to the
improved attitude of the parents, the number of cases referred to the Special Officer
and to the N.S.P.C.C. is small in proportion to the whole number dealt with. There
are very few cases of real neglect, and none of cruelty reported. The cases sent to
the Special Officer are mainly those in which treatment has been refused, and they
can generally be satisfactorily dealt with by him, though occasionally the N.S.P.C.C.
has to be called in.
War Orphans.—There are very few of these left in the schools; the reports
on those remaining are satisfactory.
After Care Conferences.—These are held each term in all the schools, and the
parents are said to attend well and to be grateful for the help given. One or two
reports note an increasing tendency to keep children for an extra term or two at
school, and greater willingness to let them take advantage of the evening classes.
The following up of cases is difficult, especially in the larger schools, where the number
of leavers each term is more than the visitors can cope with. The old scholars' clubs
are useful in this way, but deal rather with the children who have done well at school
and like to come back. The cases which really are most in need of supervision are
those of children who are rather anxious to avoid any further supervision, and the
real crux of the matter is to provide for these. S. Augustine's has a special debating
club for older boys, which has existed for many years, and is an interesting feature
of their work. S. Peter's and Moberly give analyses of the various trades asked
for at the conferences. The girls seem for the most part to desire posts as shop
assistants or in needlework trades; the number wishing to enter domestic service
remains very small. The boys chiefly ask for Post Office or other clerical work,
cabinet making and motor engineering. There appears to be little difficulty in
placing the children from 14-17, it is at the later age that the "blind alley" occupations
come to an end and the young people, especially the boys, drop out of work.
Other Activities.—Boot clubs exist in some of the schools, but they are said
to be less required than formerly. Branches of the National Savings Association are
mentioned in two of the reports, and are said to be doing well. The Moberly Committee
organised a lecture to parents on rheumatism in children, which proved a
great success.
Suggestion.—Greater facilities for aural treatment are required in the Campbellstreet
district. To judge from the reports sent in the work of the Care Committees
in Paddington would appear to be going on steadily and well, the medical side of
the work is especially producing very good results. The work would be further
improved if more workers could be found willing to visit, especially to keep in touch
with the children who have left school.
Chronic Invalidity in Children of School Age.
All chronic invalids amongst children of school age are notified by the attendance
department to the school medical officer each month. A census of all children who
have been out of school on account of illness is taken every November. In November,
1928, there were 2,086 children notified including 1,006 boys and 1,080 girls.