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Unmarried Mothers.
The Rochester Diocesan Moral Welfare Council and the Catholic
Rescue Society continued to bring cases of unmarried mothers to the
notice of the Department. Arrangements were made for these cases to
enter special Hostels maintained by Moral Welfare Societies.
Adoption Act, 1939.
The Health Department received notification under this Act for the
proposed adoption of children.
The Registered Adoption Societies asked the Department for a
report on the home before placing any child and this was a very useful
procedure.
Any person who acted as a third party in arranging an adoption
was required to give notice to the Health Department but in many cases
arrangements were made direct between the parent and the adopter.
Information was received from four registered Adoption Societies
and 14 other bodies during the period relating to 18 children and all the
homes were visited regularly. Adoption orders were made by the
Courts in 18 cases.
Close liaison was 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 was kept at the Centres and
sold to the mothers at cost price. During the period, foods to the value
of approximately £1,400 were sold.
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