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Unmarried Mothers.
During the year the cases of 15 unmarried mothers were brought
to the notice of the Department. Of these 13 were reported by the
Social Worker of the Rochester Diocesan Moral Welfare Council
and 2 by the Catholic Rescue Society.
Arrangements were made for 13 of these cases to enter special
Hostels maintained by Moral Welfare Societies, the remaining 2
making their own arrangements.
Of the 13 babies born, 2 died, 1 was stillborn, 4 remained in the
care of their mothers, 3 were adopted under the Adoption of Children
Act, and 1 was boarded out with a foster mother under the Infant
Life Protection Act. Two left the area.
In addition there were 23 other illegitimate births not reported
until the notification of birth was received.
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.
Information was received from 5 registered Adoption Societies
and 5 other bodies during the year relating to 28 children and all
the homes were visited regularly. Adoption orders were made by
the Courts in 24 cases; in three cases the applications were withdrawn
and 10 were still under consideration at the end of 1947. One
child died and one family left the area.
Close liaison is maintained with the Education Officer in cases
coming under the provisions 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 £3,500 were sold.
The scheme organized by the Ministry of Food for the provision
of Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin Tablets and Orange Juice to expectant
mothers and children, has been steadily developed since its inception
and it now entails a very large weekly distribution.
The Local Food Office have made arrangements for volunteers
to be in attendance at 13 distribution points in addition to the Corporation's
Infant Welfare Centres.
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