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and lay staff of the department and by others on a number of subjects. 12 persons
from the staff of other authorities in the home counties attended the course.
Open days
Parents and friends were invited to displays of work and sales of articles made
at the centres. Sales realised £40.2.6 at junior centres, £170.10.3 at elder boys'
centres and £75.1.2 at elder girls' centres. At the elder boys' centres some apparatus
and toys for junior centres were also made.
Conveyances
for children
The release of vehicles from the education service for the conveyance of children
to the Branstone Street centre, for which the authority was given during the previous
year, has not yet become possible.
Payment of
fares
The Council agreed to pay the fares of pupils attending the centres under the
same conditions as apply to children attending special schools for the educationally
subnormal, viz. if they are over twelve years of age and have to travel two miles or
one and a half miles if under that age, or for shorter journeys if a certificate is given by
one of the Council's medical officers that conveyance is necessary on medical grounds.
Parents'
Associations
Permission was given for the parents of pupils attending the centres to use a room
at the centres, free of charge, for the holding of parents' meetings, on the understanding
that, except in the case of Branstone Street Centre, (which is situated on Council
premises and where meetings may be held after Centre hours,) the meetings are
restricted to one a term at each centre and take place during the last period of centre
hours in the afternoon, and provided that no charge is made for the admission of any
person to the meeting.
Provision of
cod liver oil
and malt
The Council agreed to provide, free of charge, cod liver oil and malt (or halibut
oil) to children under the age of sixteen years attending the centres, when recommended
bv a medical officer of the Council.
Establishment
of staff
The fixed establishment of staff at occupation centres was determined on the
following basis:—
(i) 1 supervisor for each centre and 1 assistant supervisor for each 15, or substantial
part of 15, pupils on roll (except the first 15).
(ii) Women attendants at the discretion of the medical officer of health, provided
that at no centre shall the ratio of the total number of staff (i.e. supervisors and
attendants) to pupils exceed 1 to 10, except at St. Margarets' House Centre for
junior mixed children where, since the accommodation is for 20 children only, an
attendant may be employed in excess of this ratio.
(iii) Two boot repairing and two woodwork instructors for duty at the four elder
boys' centres.
SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE
Organisation
The school health service for the County of London (117 square miles—approximate
school population 380,000) continued with other health services to be organised
in nine divisions each with a divisional office and each division being in charge of a
Divisional Medical Officer assisted by a Divisional Administrative Officer, a Divisional
Nursing Officer and a Divisional Treatment Organiser. The arrangements for the
medical inspection and treatment of school children continued as before and special
examinations were held with a view to placing handicapped children in schools
catering for their special needs. At County Hall there are Senior Medical Officers, one
giving his whole time to the school health service, a Chief Nursing Officer, a Principal
Treatment Organiser, and a Chief Dental Surgeon. They are advisory and supervisory
and deal with questions of policy. There are also consultants who advise the School
Medical Officer on ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat conditions, orthopaedics,
child psychiatry and juvenile rheumatism. Apart from the School Medical Officer
and his deputy there is also a Principal Medical Officer whose responsibilities cover
both the school health and the maternity and child welfare services.