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31
ASCERTAINMENT.
The number of cases dealt with for the first time during the
year 1945 was 19, and they were dealt with as under:—
4 placed in institutions (under Order).
1 in a "place of safety"—admission pending elsewhere.
11 placed under statutory supervision.
1 placed under friendly care.
1 declared uncertifiable.
1 referred to Essex County Council.
GUARDIANSHIP.
There are 38 cases under guardianship, of whom 4 are still
evacuated to other areas. During the year three males were
transferred under Varying Orders to institutional care (2 having
proved no longer suitable for guardianship, and in one instance,
the guardian, an elderly mother, died suddenly) and one female
(high-grade) married, and was subsequently transferred to
friendly care.
SUPERVISION
There are 131 mental defectives under statutory supervision
in their own homes, plus 14 who are still evacuated to other
areas. A number who removed during the war are still untraceable.
A fair percentage of the cases are absorbed into unskilled
employment. 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 parents show
any resentment to these visits.
OCCUPATION CENTRE.
The whole day sessions at the Occupation Centre, with the
provision of a hot midday meal, are being satisfactorily continued.
A conveyance is provided to facilitate the attendance of a large
number of the defectives. There has been an average daily
attendance of 22 of varying ages and of both sexes. Handwork
of all types form the main part of the curriculum, and all articles
made are definite orders for sale. In some instances work is
taken home for completion. More orders are received than can
be accepted owing to the difficulty of obtaining the necessary
material, which difficulty also restricts more variation in the
handicrafts which could be taught, A certain amount of