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Children Act, and 1 was boarded out with a foster mother under the
Infant Life Protection Act. 2 left the area.
In addition there were 31 other illegitimate births not reported
until the notification of birth was received. These were all followed
up and the information obtained showed that 2 were stillborn,
2 died before reaching the age of three months, 18 remained in the
care of their mothers, 5 were adopted and 4 left the area.
These cases create a considerable social problem and the present
resources are not adequate to deal with them all.
More Hostel accommodation is urgently required, where the
mothers can remain long enough to have time to arrange for their
future in the best interests of themselves and the children.
ADOPTION ACT, 1939.
The Health Department receives notification under this Act
for the proposed adoption of children.
The Registered Adoption Societies ask the Department for a
report on the home before placing any child and this is a very
useful procedure.
Any person who acts as a third party in arranging an adoption
is required to give notice to the Health Department but in many
cases arrangements are made direct between the parent and the
adopter.
The whole procedure for Adoption is now under consideration
by a Government Committee and new legislation will doubtless be
enacted. It is to be hoped that the responsibility for giving notice
will be placed upon both the parties to the arrangement.
Information was received from 9 registered Adoption Societies
and 5 other bodies during the year relating to 35 children and all
the homes visited regularly. Adoption orders were made by the
Courts in 24 cases; in three cases the applications were withdrawn,
and 7 were still under consideration at the end of 1945.
Close liaison is maintained with the Education Officer in cases
coming under the provision of this Act.
PROVISION OF MILK, MILK FOODS, ETC.
A stock of dried milks and other foods is kept at the Centres
and sold to the mothers at cost price. During the year foods to
the value of approximately £3,000 were sold. During the year the
issue of Fruit Juices and Cod Liver Oil to children up to 5 years of
age was continued at Welfare Centres and First Aid Posts at the
request of the Ministry of Food. A very high proportion of the
children in the area had these regular additions to their diet.
FREE MILK TO NECESSITOUS CASES.
The supply of milk for children under 5 has been taken over
by the Ministry of Food, and the Council retain only the option of
supplementing supplies in special cases. The Milk Officer reports
that since the Scheme came into operation, a very large number
of permits have been issued.
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