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The main help that was given to children in their own homes under the
Children and Young Persons Act, 1963, Section 1, was by way of payment
of fares for them to go to relatives who were in a position to look after the
children during family crises. Otherwise the chief problem still continues
to be the inability of parents to control their children, largely due to
unhappy marriages or co-habitation, and general lack of principles and
self-discipline.
Children placed with foster parents by their own parents and supervised
under the Children Act, 1958, numbered 56.
During the year foster parents have continued to give great assistance
and support and to give loving and efficient care to the children. Returns
which cover the period from 1st April, 1967, to 31st March, 1968, revealed
the fact that Harrow, equally with another London Borough, had the
highest boarding out figures amongst the London Boroughs, i.e. 63%.
Foster parents have in several cases shown great patience, tolerance and
understanding in dealing with difficult teenagers and difficult parents.
There were a number of meetings between the Children's Officers of
the London Boroughs, which proved to be very helpful and provided an
opportunity for comparing experience and airing points of view. Personal
consultation between members of the staff is carried out at all levels and,
as a result, it is possible to take very swift action, and all the members of
the staff are becoming very well known to each other.
At Christmas it was possible for the Children's Home at 229 The
Heights to be closed and the Home at 7a Gaylor Road to remain open in
case of emergency, but all the children went away for the actual Christmas
period.
There has been no change in the staff of the Children's Homes.
Although the plans for the Reception Unit for Boys were passed by
the Home Office, it was not possible for the building to be commenced, but
it is hoped that building will be started in 1969, and that it will be in use
in 1970.
The relationship with the Probation Department and the Juvenile
Court still continues to be a very happy and helpful one, and in view of the
impending changes, this is of great importance to the work of this Department.
Inter-departmental relationships remain excellent and the Children's
Section continues to receive co-operation and helpful advice from all
the departments of the service which it has to call upon in various
circumstances.