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children, in whose case the Welfare Authority already had power
to supply domestic help. In the event of an authority being
satisfied that there was a need for such an extended service of
domestic helps in their area, the Circular recommended that application
be made to the Ministry of Labour and National Service, and
that the authority should themselves employ the helpers at rates
of pay not less than those of the Hetherington scale.
In January, 1945, the Council adopted the scheme, and application
was made to the Ministry of Labour Employment Exchange
for women to undertake the work. As no women had been referred
by the Ministry of Labour and National Service, in April, 1946,
the Maternity and Child Welfare Authority conferred with representatives
of the local Women's Voluntary Service organisation and
the following proposals were agreed:—
(a) That the Women's Voluntary Service undertake the
following duties:—
(i) To organise propaganda making the scheme known.
(ii) To interview applicants for the position of Home
Help, take up references, etc., and pass details to the
Medical Officer of Health, who will engage applicants
at his discretion.
(iii) To interview applicants for Home Helps.
(b) That the Council should:—
(i) Appoint a full-time clerk to be employed at the office
of the Women's Voluntary Service.
(ii) Advertise in the local Press inviting applications for
the position of Home Help.
In June the Council decided:—
(а) to appoint two full-time Home and Domestic Helps, to be
paid at the rate of 1s. 9¾d. per hour;
(b) that additional full-time Home and Domestic Helps be
appointed should the demand justify additional appointments;
and
(c) that, in the event of the services of a Health Visitor not
being available, a Case Visitor be appointed at the appropriate
salary.