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(ii) Number of children on the Register—
(a) At the beginning of the year 34
(b) At the end of the year 31
(e) Who died during the year Nil
(d) On whom inquests were held during the
year Nil
Every foster child was visited regularly throughout the
year and if the conditions were not satisfactory, more frequent
visits were paid. In all, one hundred and seventyeight
visits were made to the homes of foster mothers.
Although three of the Health Visitors hold appointments
under Section 2 (2) of the Act, it has been found expedient
to make one Health Visitor responsible for the entire visiting.
The standard of care devoted to the foster-children in
Wimbledon was found to be very satisfactory. In a few
cases it was necessary to insist on a suitable and proper cot
being supplied for a child. These requirements were promptly
complied with.
Where a foster-child was found not to be making satisfactory
progress the foster mother was informed that it was
necessary for her either to obtain private medical attention
or to take the child to the Health Centre.
One foster-child who became seriously ill was transferred
by its mother, at the request of the foster-mother, to a general
hospital where it ultimately died. This child had received
every attention and care before admission to hospital and
all the requirements of the Children Act had been fully
complied with.
The Children and Young Persons Act, 1932, which comes
into operation on 1st January, 1933, considerably amends
the Children Act, 1908. One of the most important alterations
is the raising of the age of the foster-child from seven
to nine years. Furthermore, the Authority now has to receive
seven days' notice before a woman undertakes the care of
a foster-child for the first time. This is a valuable amendment
of the existing regulations, as it allows time for
full inquiry and investigation of the home circumstances of
the foster-mother by the Infant Protection Visitor before the
foster-child is received. Notice of these alterations was given
to the general public in December by means of advertisements
published in the local press, and by posters which were
exhibited in various parts of the town.
In no case was it necessary for an order to be obtained
from a Justice under Section 5 (1) with a view to the removal
of a child from the home of a foster-mother.
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