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Case considered by divisional co-ordinating committee in April 1954 when
reported that youngest boy (then 4½ years old) in hospital in very bruised condition and
as result of N.S.P.C.C. action oldest son (then aged 19 years) had been sent to prison for
three months. Committee concerned over bad home conditions but N.S.P.C.C.
inspector felt that cruelty or neglect could not be proved against parent. He had called
doctor to house but doctor did not say that children were neglected. Committee
generally agreed that children would benefit from residential care and children's officer,
together with care committee worker, was to look into possibility of admission to
voluntary home.
Oldest son out of prison in June 1954—his younger brother appeared quite happy
with him. In August 1954 two youngest boys received into care and in September 1954
oldest son, who by this time had left home, committed suicide.
In July 1956 divisional co-ordinating committee informed that mother looked ill
and miserable and spent most of her time in bed ; home in a deplorable condition ;
father in prison ; one child in mental hospital ; oldest girl with foster parents (girl over
18 years of age and spent much of her time on streets) ; two other children in care and
boy of 13 at home. Agreed that services of a home help be offered ; children's officer to
arrange for mother to visit children ; and holiday to be arranged for mother and the
boy at home. Stated that National Assistance Board had offered to help with clothes.
N.S.P.C.C. inspector to pay friendly visit to oldest girl to persuade her to adopt better
way of life.
At October 1956 meeting of divisional co-ordinating committee reported that
health visitor had accompanied mother to visit her children in care—an event, as mother
had hardly been outside her home for several years and the preparations and the journey
were a great effort for her. The children had hardly recognised their mother and indeed
had been loath to leave their play in order to talk to her. At first this had upset mother,
but afterwards she felt relieved in the knowledge that they were happy. Home help
working in home and accepted by mother because she felt it would help her to prepare
the home so that the children could return from care. Mother and boy at home had
two weeks' holiday at a holiday home in September 1956—boy enjoyed it enormously
and mother returned looking brighter and happier. Husband home again. Home help
finding it difficult to make any improvement in home conditions.
Situation in January 1957 was father in prison, eldest girl in a mother and baby home,
oldest boy (who has spent long periods in mental institutions) working spasmodically,
two children still in residential school and one child at home. Mother again looked tired
and depressed. Home help attending three times weekly. Child at home apparently
happy and doing well at school. Of the two boys in care, one appears intelligent and is
doing well at his lessons and the other is thought to be mentally dull although reported
to be happy and responsible. Children in care have a very good foster aunt who keeps
close contact with them and has them in her home for the holidays and it is hoped to
continue this arrangement as it seems unlikely that the home conditions will ever be
suitable for their return.