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21 [1934
Mothers also) where it w as thought their services could be utilised and there was a
possibility of the cases coming within the scope of their work. 34 families came
within this category, some being cases which had had to receive such attention in
previous years and were again found to need it.
The co-operation of the Society's three local Inspectors (including one Lady
Inspector for " medical" cases—into which division one quarter of the cases fell)
has been particularly useful on the Maternity and Child Welfare side of the work
of the Public Health Department in promoting better conditions in the homes for
the children and also in compelling parents and guardians to secure medical attention
for them.
The Inspectors of the Society were specifically incorporated in the Children and
Young Persons Act of 1933 as " Authorised Persons " to deal with cases under the
Children Act, 1908, as amended by the Children and Young Persons Act, 1932,
and the help afforded to my Department by these Inspectors has been noteworthy,
lor, of the thirty-four cases mentioned above, six were in connection with these Acts
(Infant Life Protection) and one of them developed into a Court case—see section
on " Infant Life Protection."
In some instances cases were brought to the notice of the Society by my
Department and in others the Society called in our services. In one such latter
case, when the District Sanitary Inspector visited the premises (to make an
ordinary inspection for nuisances), accompanied by the Society's Inspector, an
imbecile paralysed boy of 15 years of age was found in filthy surroundings and
rescued from further " ill-treatment."
In a case of the former type (i.e., children under 5 referred to the Society) in
addition a child ever that age, viz., 14 years, was found to need drastic attention
for eyes, and eventually had an operation. It is said that his eyes will be quite
normal in consequence, and thus he will have a better chance of getting employment.
It is therefore in instances of this character that the excellent work of the
Society in Islington is apparent and appreciation is due from the Borough for the
persistent efforts of the Society's officers to lessen in this area the number of cases
of ill-treatment of children—members of the community who are incapable of
defending themselves—and for their becoming, as it were, our " social ' policemen.'
"
INFANT LIFE PROTECTION.—CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS
ACTS, 1908-1932.
This duty is undertaken by one of the Council's Health Visitors who has been
appointed Infant Protection Visitor and whose time is mainly occupied by interviews
with mothers who are anxious to obtain homes for their babies, fostermothers
who call at the Tow n Hall respecting- the children under their care, and by
regularly visiting the homes w here nurse-children are being fostered, together with
the clerical work which such duties necessitate. Assistance is rendered where
necessary by the Superintendent of the Department, and surveys of the homes of
the foster-mothers, previous to registration, are made by the District Sanitary
Inspectors. In addition to the individual calls there are, of course, a number of
children in particular institutions who come within the purview of the Acts, and are