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dealt with by the Children's Department, when their supervision would
otherwise have been commenced by the Probation Department and
transferred to the local authority at a later date.
Similarly, close contact has been kept with the Principals of Approved
Schools, which have been making a great number of changes in preparation
for 1st January 1971 when Approved School orders will be abolished,
and those children or young persons in Approved Schools, or on licence,
will automatically become the subject of Care Orders to the local
authority.
The weekly sessions held at the Department with the Social
Psychiatrist are being continued and have proved of great value, 35
parents attended during the year for advice and guidance.
Foster parents have continued to give loving and efficient care to the
children, and have dealt with difficult teenagers with great understanding.
Figures published by the Home Office in December showed that the
number of children boarded out in Harrow compared to other authorities
remains high and was approximately 54%.
At Christmas it was possible for the Children's Home at 229 The
Heights to be closed and the Home at 7a Gaylor Road remained open in
case of emergencies, but all the children went away for the actual Christmas
holiday. During the summer holidays the children and staff of both
Homes went away for a seaside holiday.
Statistics for the Period 1st January to 31st December, 1970
Children in Care, Received into Care and Ceasing to be in Care
Children in the care of Harrow on 1st January, 1970 94
Children received into care during the period 145
Children committed to care during the period 6
Children who ceased to be in care during the period 162
Children in care on 31st December, 1970 83
Children in the care of other local authorities,
Supervision Authority Harrow: During the period 13
On 31st December, 1970 8
Number of children concerning whom enquiries were made 649
Children for whom parents dought advice as being beyond control 35
Brought before the Court —
Received into care 1