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67
ADVISING PARENTS OF DEFECTS.
If any defect is discovered, a note is sent to the parents
strongly urging them to obtain medical advice. It has been
found in Finchley (in common with many other districts)
that some parents will take no step in obtaining medical
assistance, although in some cases the defect is of a serious
nature. This neglect appears to arise mainly from two causes
-either from the disregard of the child's welfare (coupled
with the feeling that it is a matter which concerns the parents
alone and that they will brook no interference from the
School Authorities), or secondly, from poverty, the parents
not being in a position to seek medical advice, or not being
able to afford the time necessary to take the child to a
hospital. Instances arising from the poverty of the parents
are constantly met with, and are brought before the
Children's Care Committee, the members of which body make
enquiry and grant relief in certain cases.
CHILDREN'S CARE COMMITTEE.
The Children's Care Committee working, as it does, in
conjunction with the Education Committee, is doing a useful
and beneficent work. The members are truly interested in
the welfare of the children, and include amongst their number
the Headmasters of the Schools and the School Attendance
Officers, who are generally thoroughly conversant with the
home circumstances of each case. This Committee also
arranges for the feeding of necessitous school children, the
formation of boot clubs in connection with the various schools,
the provision of spectacles, and other beneficent objects.
THE SCHOOL NURSE.
In March, 1908, a Nurse was appointed, part of whose
time was to be devoted to the schools. Her duties consist
of (a) being present and assisting at the Medical Examination;
(b) visiting the parents of those children in whom defects have
been found to ascertain if any steps have been taken to obtain