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or any other circumstances from providing for his proper accommodation,
maintenance and upbringing, and the intervention of the local authority
is necessary in the interests of the welfare of the child. These children
are placed in residential homes, or are boarded out. In certain circumstances
a local authority may assume parental rights with respect to any
child in their care. It is also the duty of the authority to act as a fit
person under the Children and Young Persons Act, 1953, when the
court commits a child to their care. The responsibility for the supervision
of children under the Children's Acts relating to child life protection
has also passed to the Children's Department. These provisions
relate to children who are maintained apart from their parents for reward;
such children are now being supervised up to the age of eighteen years.
The Children's Department has further responsibilities in regard to
children who are about to be adopted.
The Children's Officer of the Middlesex County Council is Miss
J. Rowell, of 10, Great George Street, S.W.I (Tel. No. Trafalgar 7799).
In this area the work is carried out by the Area Children's Officer, Miss
Susan Boag, at Kynaston Court.
The Mentally 111 and the Mentally Defective
The mental health services are integrated with the other health
services established under the National Health Service Act. The duties
of the local health authority include responsibility for the initial care
and conveyance to hospital of patients who fall to be dealt with under
the Lunacy and Mental Treatments Acts, and for the ascertainment and
community care of mental defectives. The Health Committee of the
County Council is responsible for the mental health functions of the
Authority.
The county was divided for these functions into the same ten areas
as for the administration of the delegated health services. In 1952 a
reorganisation was made. Harrow with Acton, Wembley and Willesden
now form the central division which is served by Shenley Hospital. The
Mental Welfare Officer, Mr. W.J. Pedel, and other officers, work at
Winkworth Hall, Chevening Road, Kilburn, N.W.6 (Tel. No. Ladbroke
2411).
For the backward child who is educable special educational arrangements
are made. Some children of school age or of even below school age
are found to be ineducable. The responsibility for dealing with these
rests with the Mental Health service of the County Council. A number
of these children are helped by their attending an occupation centre.
There was such a centre in Harrow, in Wealdstone. This transferred
in 1954 to the building which was at one time the civic restaurant at
Rayners Lane. There were at the end of the year 76 names on the
register. Most of those attending are taken to and from the centre by
coach. Many continue to attend after they have passed the usual school
leaving age.
Persons in Need of Care and Attention
Part III of the National Assistance Act imposed certain duties on
the County Council: