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until 1946 the scheme underwent some minor modifications to meet
the difficulty in obtaining enough experienced and reliable women
who were willing to have their names put on the Council's list of
approved Home Helpers, owing to the spasmodic and casual nature
of the employment, which was not of the type likely to attract the
best type of women.
In December, 1944 (Ministry of Health Circular 179/44) the
Minister of Health expressed the concern of the Government
regarding the need for supplying domestic help to persons sick and
infirm, and extended the power of Local Authorities to provide
such help in necessitous cases other than mothers and young
children.
In January, 1945 Leyton Council adopted a scheme to comply
with the recommendations contained in Ministry of Health Circular
179/44, but, owing to war-time conditions, no suitable applicants
could be referred by the Ministry of Labour and National Service.
On 1st October, 1946 Leyton Council, with the co-operation
of the Women's Voluntary Service, were able to put into operation
a more comprehensive scheme advocated by the Minister of Health
—that of supplying Domestic Help to persons sick and infirm, in
addition to maternity cases.

In December, 1946 the Clerk resigned and the Domestic Help
Office was transferred to the Public Health Department. Since
that time there have been several changes of Clerk, and the bulk
of the clerical and administrative work has fallen on Mr. Softley
and the staff of the Public Health Department.
Summary of Cases Helped during 1948.