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Bisterne Avenue, which we opened last year, has been a great help because we have found that
it has to take children who are in care for long and indefinite periods, rather than for children
remaining with us for only a short time. Because of the increase in the number of children needing
long-term care, as mentioned in our report last year, a new nursery is being built to replace the
existing one near Harlow and we hope that it will be ready in the Spring of 1969. Plans have also
been made to improve the four cottages which we have as Children's Homes in Coopersale to
more modern standards for the benefit of the children and staff and the work should be carried
out in the forthcoming year.
As before, we have carried out our duties under the Adoption Act, 1958, having in all
88 homes to supervise on 31st March 1968 and having been appointed Guardian ad litem in 57
applications for Adoption Orders during the year. We have had a Child Care Officer at every
Juvenile Court sitting to represent this authority and to help the bench by providing reports. In
addition, my staff have been appointed to supervise children under Supervision Orders who have
been before the Court as in need of care, protection or control, or whose parents have legally
separated and the Matrimonial Courts have ordered their supervision by members of my staff. We
are having to act as after-care officers for children committed to Approved Schools and to supervise
a number of children on behalf of other authorities.
Much of the work of the department is preventive and rehabilitative work, which we
undertake under Section I of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1963. These duties are of vital
importance in preventing the break-up of families and the consequent reception into care of the
children and in preventing children and youngsters from appearing before the Juvenile Courts
through committing offences or being found to be beyond the control of their parents. Child Care
Officers visit these families frequently and deal with a variety of problems, ranging from debts to
deteriorating matrimonial relationships, rebellious adolescents, disturbed children and the usual
difficulties parents may have in bringing up their children, as well as supporting fatherless
families or widowers with children. We co-operate with all other agencies within local government
and others to help this important work. In all, 523 families, involving 1,049 children, were
referred to us for assistance of some sort or another during the year and at 31st March 1967, we
were responsible for over 600 children altogether.
WATER SUPPLIES
Contributed by Dr.E.Windle Taylor, C.B.E., M.A., M.D., D.P.H., F.C.Path.
Director of Water Examination, Metropolitan Water Board
The supply was satisfactory both as to quality and quantity throughout 1967.
All new and repaired mains are disinfected with chlorine, after a predetermined period of
contact the pipes are flushed out and refilled; samples of water are the collected from these
treated mains; and the mains are returned to service only after results are found to be satisfactory.
The quality control from these laboratories is carried out by means of dailing sampling
from sources of supply, from the treatment works or well stations, from the distribution system,
and through to the consumer. Any sign of contamination or any other abnormality is immediately
investigated.
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