View report page

41
CARE OF THE UNMARRIED MOTHER
The Croydon Association for Moral Welfare continued to act
for the Corporation and received payment on a capitation basis
for cases dealt with by their Social Worker. The Corporation also
paid hostel fees in respect of approved cases for whom such
accommodation was required.
During the year under review -
188 cases were dealt with by the Social Worker;
25 cases were admitted to Hostels;
4 cases were temporarily accommodated at Glazier House
(The Croydon Home of the Moral Welfare Association)
The Committee agreed to meet financial responsibility for a
stay of an unmarried mother in a Mother and Baby Home for a period
of three months except for girls up to 18 years of age, for whom
the period would be extended to cover a total of six months. These
younger mothers would normally go to Homes specialising in their
care.
Of the eight infant deaths of illegitimate babies in 1954,
only one child was born under such arrangements, the cause of
death being prematurity.
INFANT WELFARE CENTRES
Their work continued without any major changes.
Welfare Clinics continued to offer facilities for immunisation
against diphtheria and vaccination against smallpox at all
sessions. Ministry of Food Welfare Foods were also available at
all Clinics following this function being taken over from the
Ministry of Food in June. As Welfare Foods have for many years
been issued from all Infant Welfare Centres in Croydon, the new
responsibility was for a central store and central distribution
office for the borough. The accommodation already in use was in
Corporation premises and the tenancy was therefore transferred
temporarily to the Health Department. Four members of the Food
Office staff were engaged to continue these duties, and the
changeover effected without any difficulty. Foods issued during
the period were:-
National Dried Milk 67,391
Cod Liver Oil and Malt 18,173
Vitamins A and B (for Expectant
Mothers) 6,248
Orange Juice 102,887