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An extract from Mr. Steele's Report is appended:—
As pointed out in my previous reports the number of children in
residence shows a decrease, but the number of children actually dealt
with shows an increase of 60 per cent. on admissions and 70 per cent.
discharges compared with 1939. This means that we are rendering a
service to half as many again of the community compared with 1939
and yet if only figures of children remaining in residence were taken
it would appear that we were doing less work than before the war.
All the extra work involved in changing ration documents, entering
up records of all kinds, answering a never ending stream of inquiries
from relatives, and other departments, throws a great strain on my
office staff. I have again to point out that we are carrying the responsibility
for this particular service of two County boroughs, three
large boroughs, with three separate social welfare departments and
fiva education departments and this multiplicity of Authorities
involving the necessity of separate records and sections adds to
the general difficulties.
The medical examinations, treatments, the keeping of medical
records, the attendance of children at hospitals and clinics, has, too,
increased out of all knowledge compared with pre-war practice. The
greater interest of the public in our activities has created much
additional work, the would-be social aunts and uncles, the persons
anxious to adopt children or enquire about our work, all of whom
have to be interviewed, has, too, added to our tasks.