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CHILDREN UNABLE TO BENEFIT BY EDUCATION
Cases dealt with under Section 57 of the Education Act, 1944.
Section 57 relates to children who are so mentally handicapped that they are
unable to benefit by education either at normal or a special school for educationally
sub-normal pupils. These children are referred to the Council's mental health
service for further care. Dependent on the degree of disability they may be admitted
to training establishments where the emphasis is on manual skills rather than academic
subjects, admitted to psychiatric hospitals, or remain at home in the care of their
parents.
The decision to refer children in this way is always reluctantly taken and whenever
possible only after a trial period at one of the special schools for educationally
sub-normal pupils.
During the year, the number of cases so dealt with was five.
INFESTATION
Section 54 of the Education Act, 1944, requires that the authority should ensure
the cleanliness of children in attendance at maintained schools and is empowered
itself to cleanse infested children.
During 1965, with a school population of approximately 37,000 children, 32,976
examinations were carried out, 246 cases of infestation being found (0.7 per cent.).
All cases are followed up by the health visiting staff until satisfactorily cleansed.
Facilities are available to the parents through the clinics, where a cleansing preparation
is available and the staff advise how the condition should be treated, or use may be
made of the Hammersmith Cleansing Station.
Regular supervision at the various schools is based on the known need, the overall
pattern in the Borough being fairly constant.
The contributing cause to this continuing problem would appear to be a well-known
core of problem families who require constant supervision.
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