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Applications for registration as child minders were received also from 85 persons
who, for various reasons, decided to withdraw their applications after discussion
with the officers concerned.
The Council is very much aware of the increasing demand for the day care of
pre-school children and during the year a further four playgroups were permitted to
use clinic premises free of charge, making a total of seven playgroups using clinic
premises at the end of the year. In addition, the newly created part-time post of
pre-school playgroup organiser was filled early in 1969 and a grant was made to the
local pre-school playgroup association with whom negotiations continued on ways
of improving and augmenting this service. The course for playgroup leaders, lasting
one academic year during which attendance is made on one day a week, continued
to be very popular; and a third course, arranged by the Education Committee, started
in September. Arrangements were also made to start a similar course at a second
centre in April, 1970.
Children in Care
There are two residential nurseries situated in the borough under the control of
the Children's Department, providing places for 31 children.
By arrangement with the Children's Officer, each child is medically examined
on admission, every three months, and on discharge, by the Council's medical officers.
Dental care and immunisation are also arranged by the Health Department. In the
ordinary way, general practitioners provide general medical services.
Children placed with foster parents are given statutory, supervisory and general
medical care by general medical practitioners but in some cases the statutory medical
examination and the examinations for certification of freedom from infection are
carried out by the Council's medical officers.
Co-ordination of Personal Health Services
The co-ordinating committee, consisting of nominated officers for each of the
departments concerned— Town Clerk's, Health, Children's, Welfare, Housing and
Education— continued to meet throughout the year.
A meeting of field staff from each department, to which representatives of a
number of voluntary organisations were invited, was held at Bowes Road (Combined)
Clinic, and a panel of officers was present to answer questions. A further meeting
was held at Chase Girls' School and Miss J. Barrow, a member of the Community
Relations Commission, spoke on the problems of immigrants. Her talk was followed
by a lively discussion.
Problem Families
By the end of the year, there were 25 families on the " problem families "
register. Continuing supportive help was given to them. Two families were re-housed
during the year, and one boy with severe behaviour problems was placed in a suitable
school.
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