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39
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 -
137 cases were dealt with by the Social Worker;
17 cases were admitted to Hostels;
9 cases were temporarily accommodated at Glazier House
(The Croydon Home of the Moral Welfare Association)
The Committee agreed to meet financial responsibility for
the stay of unmarried mothers in Mother and Baby Homes 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.
No infant deaths of illegitimate babies occurred in 1955.
INFANT WELFARE CENTRES
The work continued unchanged and a new centre was opened at
St. George's Hall, The Glade, on the Monks Orchard estate. All
efforts to find suitable premises in the northern part of the
New Addington estate were unfortunately unsuccessful. Permission
was given by the Education Committee to use the medical room in
a new school, but the layout of the building made this impossible.
Other building developments in the Gravel Hill area brought a
similar request for Infant Welfare facilities. A suitable Church
Hall was available and its use is being considered.
The W.V.S. took over the central distribution centre for
welfare foods and kept it staffed throughout the year, all day on
week-days and on Saturday mornings, and I would pay tribute to
their most efficient working of this service. A store was built
at the health department and the distribution of supplies to the
infant welfare centres carried out by our own transport and
staff. This has greatly assisted the work of the volunteers who
deal with the issue of these foods at all the centres. Total
issues made during the year were:-
National Dried Milk 114,880
Cod Liver Oil 32,000
Vitamins A and D (for Expectant
Mothers) 12,761
Orange Juice 195,421