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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Willesden 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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54
THE SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
for the
Year ending 31st December, 1931,
on
INFANT LIFE PROTECTION.
The arrangements made by the Council for discharging the functions of the Local Authority
under Part I. of the Children Act, 1908, were dealt with in last year's Annual Health Report. The
existing Health Visitors have been appointed Infant Protection Visitors. The Council fix the number
of children to be kept by each foster mother. They consider cases where there appears to be any
contravention of Part I. of the Children Act, 1908, or where the foster mother or foster home appears
unsuitable. They draw the attention of the public to the requirements of the Act from time to time
by means of posters, handbills, and advertisements in the local press. A report on Infant Life
Protection appears as Appendix G.
Table No. 48. Foster Mothers.
| Number of Foster Mothers at 3rd January, 1931 | 128 |
| „ „ „ at 2nd January, 1932 | 139 |
| Number of Licences granted by Council, 3rd Jan., 1931 to 2nd Jan., 1932 | 45 |
| „ „ refused by Council, 3rd Jan., 1931 to 2nd Jan., 1932 | 13 |
| Number of applications to take additional children agreed to by Council | 13 |
| „ „ „ „ „ refused by Council | 3 |
| Number of applications for re-issue of Licence agreed to by Council | 251 |
| „ „ „ „ refused by Council | 3 |
| Foster Children. | |
| Coming under observation— | |
| Number of Foster Children at 3rd January, 1931 | 200 |
| „ „ „ received 3rd Jan., 1931 to 2nd Jan., 1932 | 215† |
| Number entered Willesden with their Foster Mothers | 5 |
| Total | 420 |
| Removed from observation. | |
| Number given up | 190 |
| „ reached the age of 7 years | 16 |
| „ died | 1 |
| „ legally adopted | 3 |
| „ ceased to be taken for gain | 1 |
| „ left Willesden with their Foster Mothers | 9 |
| Total | 220 |
| Remaining under observation— | |
| Number of Foster Children at 2nd January, 1932— | |
| (a) Under 5 years of age | 173 |
| (b) Between 5 and 7 years of age | 27 |
| Total | 200 |
* Of these 25 cases 11 were re-issued in respect of new premises:
† The actual number of new individual Foster Children who came under observation, 163.