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Particular attention was again given to the supervision of
foster mothers in the area. Our routine procedure is now as follows:—
On receipt of a Notice of Reception, sent by a mother,
who is taking a child for the first time, the Assistant Medical
Officer visits the house for the purpose of ascertaining the suitability
of the environment, and deciding upon the maximum number of
children whom the foster mother can take. This number is then
officially given in writing. This is followed by a visit from the
Child Protection Visitor, who gives the mother particulars of her
obligations under the Public Health Act, 1936, and, later, by
routine quarterly inspections, and additional inspections, when
necessary. In all cases the foster mothers are persuaded to bring
the children under five years of age to one of the Child Welfare
Centres. The reports of the Visitors help the department to keep
a check on the Register of Foster Parents and Children. In addition
to the above, the Sanitary Inspectors carry out routine inspections
and report upon their findings. All transfers out of the
district are notified to the appropriate Medical Officer of Health
of the district concerned.
Occasionally, but I am glad to say infrequently, cases occur
of failure on the part of some of the mothers to notify the department
on reception or removal of a child. These are referred to
the Town Clerk for suitable action.
(iv) Inspection of Nursing Homes, Etc.
The two Registered Nursing Homes in the area received the
usual quarterly visits, when conditions were found to be satisfactory.
At the end of the third quarter, one of these homes discontinued
the reception of patients.