View report page

MENTAL DEFICIENCY ACTS, 1915 - 1938.
Ascertainment.
The number of cases dealt with for the first time during the
year 1942 was 37, and they were dealt with as under:-
4 placed in Institutions (under Order)
1 " under Guardianship (" " )
17 " " Statutory Supervision.
1 " " Friendly Care
1 dealt with under Mental Treatment Act, 1930.
1 referred back to Education Committee for
treatment at an Epileptic Colony.
7 no action taken (two liability refused)
5 removed to other areas.
Provision of Institutional Accommodation.
The difficulty experienced in obtaining Institutional accommodation
has been relieved by the completion of South Ockendon Colony.
Guardianship.
There are 40 cases under Guardianship, of whom seven have
evacuated to other areas. Three males, on licence, were transferred
under Varying Orders from Guardianship to Institutional Care.
Supervision.
There are 113 mental defectives under Supervision in their own
homes in East Ham, plus 21 who have evacuated to other areas. All
the cases are visited at varying intervals, and reports filed,
helpful advice being given with regard to their management,training,
etc. It is very rare that the parents show any resentment at, or
opposition to, these visits.
Occupation Centre.
The Occupation Centre was re-opened on 4th May, 1942. The
whole day sessions commenced on 29th June, with the provision of a
mid-day meal consisting of moat, vegetables, and a pudding which
is cooked at the nearby Centre for providing dinners for the
Elementary Schools and brought round hot in metal containers.There
has been an average daily attendance of 22, of varying ages and of
both sexes. Handwork of all types form the chief part of the
curriculum, and the articles made are definite orders for sale. In
many instances work is taken home to complete. More orders have
been received than can be accepted owing to the present difficulty
of obtaining necessary materials. A certain amount of physical
training is given daily, together with a small amount of domestic
training incurred in connection with the preparation etc. of the
tables before and after the mid-day meal.
Licence, Discharge and After-Care.
Out of 17 defectives (10 males and 7 females) on licence
during the year from Institutions and Guardians, nine are at work
and doing fair]y well, one was transferred to a Residential
Special School, three were transferred from Guardianship to
Institutional Caro, one died, and three were discharged from the
operation of the M.D.Acts. Occasional visits are paid to all
cases discharged from the operation of the M.D.Acts and still
within this area. All removals are notified to the respective areas.
17