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In connection with this matter 51 voluntary associations, to which the Council
is required to make payments under the existing schemes, and in addition two
associations previously not "grant aided," were consulted as to the Council's proposals
for the ensuing grant period.
The Minister of Health was informed of the result of the Council's consideration
of this matter
Children Act,
1908, Part 1
The Annual Report for the year 1921 indicated fully the powers of the Council
under the Children Act, 1908, Part I, with regard to infant life protection. Thirteen
qualified nurses carry out the work of inspection and act as visitors under the Act.
Special enquiries are made by male inspectors of the public health department
when there is information or suspicion that the keeping of a nurse-infant has not
been reported to the Council. Caution, prosecution, removal of the child to a place
of safety or other appropriate action follows.
Failure to comply with the law requiring notification of the reception of a child
subject to Part I of the Children Act is a punishable offence. Proceedings were
taken against seven foster-mothers during the year for this offence. In four cases
fines were imposed, two cases were dismissed, and one case was bound over.
Newspaper advertisements of (or for) foster-mothers are followed up and there
is extensive and constant co-operation between the Council and maternity and child
welfare authorities in London and other parts of the country, the Metropolitan and
other Police, the N.S.P.C.C., philanthropic societies, hospital almoners and other
associations and persons concerned with matters affecting the welfare of children.
At the end of 1932 there were 1,541 homes under inspection, compared with
1,797 at the end of 1931, the number of nurse-infants therein being 2,152, compared
with 2,601 at the end of 1931. Approximately 27,768 visits were made during the
year.
Nurse-infants who are kept under unsatisfactory conditions, which fall within
the purview of section 5 of the Act, may be removed to a place of safety. In London
public assistance institutions are used for this purpose. During 1932 it was necessary
so to remove 3 nurse-infants, compared with 4 in 1931.
The homes where nurse-infants are kept are visited when first notified in order
to ascertain whether the sanitary condition of the premises is satisfactory; 760 such
reports were made during 1932. In 514 cases the premises were found to be satisfactory;
in 84 homes sanitary defects were discovered, while overcrowding was
found in 92 homes. Overcrowding and sanitary defects combined were found in 9
homes. In 61 cases no action could be taken under the provisions of this Act owing
to the removal of the nurse-infant prior to the visit of the inspector. In addition to
the above, special inquiries were also made in 358 cases with regard to the condition
of the premises, and the necessary action was taken in each case. In the event of
a serious sanitary defect being reported the attention of the local borough council is
drawn thereto, and in some cases it has been found possible by rearrangement of
the accommodation to secure improvement and abate overcrowding. In others it
has not been possible, and the foster-parent has been urged to return the child in her
charge to the parent, or to obtain other and more suitable accommodation. If the
foster-mother refuses to return the child, appropriate action is taken under section 5
of the Act.
Foster-mothers are advised to attend local infant welfare centres with the
children in their charge. In the event of a nurse-infant being weak or ailing, the
visitor carefully watches the case and sees that the treatment advised is duly carried
out. If doubt exists in the visitor's mind with regard to the progress of the nurseinfant,
one of the Council's medical officers attends and examines the child. During
the year, 16 nurse-infants died, compared with 26 in 1931, 25 in 1930, and 27 in
1929. In 8 cases inquests were held, a verdict of death from "natural causes"
was recorded in 7 cases, and in 1 case from "accidental causes." In none of these
cases was blame attached to the foster-mother.