London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Heston and Isleworth 1933

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Heston and Isleworth]

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17
ADMINISTRATION OF PART I. OF THE CHILDREN ACT, 1908, AS AMENDED BY
PART V. OF THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS ACT, 1932.
(a) Number of persons on the Register who were receiving children for reward at the end
of the year 55
(b) Number of children on the Register:—
(i) at the end of the year 68
(ii) who died during the year Nil.
(iii) on whom inquests were held during the year Nil.
(c) Number of Infant Protection Visitors at the end of the year who were:—
(i) Health Visitors 7
(ii) Female, other than Health Visitors Nil.
(iii) Male Nil.
(d) Number of persons (in addition to or in lieu of Visitors under (c) above) or societies
authorised to visit under the proviso to Section 2(2) of the Act of 1908 .. .. Nil.
(e) Proceedings taken during the year:—
No. of Cases. Act and Section under which proceedings were taken.
1 Children and Young Persons Act, 1932, s. 67.
(f) Number of cases in which the local authority has given a sanction during the year:—
(i) Under (a) of Section 3 of the Act of 1908 Nil.
(ii) Under (b) of Section 3 of the Act of 1908 Nil.
(iii) Under (c) of Section 3 of the Act of 1908 Nil.
(g) Number of orders obtained during the year under Section 67 of the Act of 1932:—
(i) From a court of summary jurisdiction 1
(ii) From a single justice Nil.
The work in connection with Infant Life Protection has continued during the year along the
lines laid down on its transfer to the Local Authority in 1930.
Particulars of the Law relating to this work are made known by notices in the local press
from time to time, and information is also supplied at the Maternity and Child Welfare Centres,
and Public Health Department. All the Health Visitors are fully acquainted with the requirements
of the Law, and they promptly investigate and report on such cases as come to their knowledge by
verbal reports.
The Health Visitors paid 783 visits in connection with this work during the year, and many
of the foster-children were brought regularly to the Maternity and Child Welfare Centres.
The foster-mothers, with one exception, have discharged their duties satisfactorily. In the
one case the home conditions had continued to be dirty and generally unsuitable, and the fostermother
was told to return the child to the legal parent. This she refused to do. As conditions did
not improve it was necessary to obtain an order under section 67 of the Act of 1932, from a court
of summary jurisdiction, directing the removal of the child. The child was subsequently placed
with a reliable foster-mother in the area.
When a foster-child removes to an address outside the area, full details are sent immediately
to the appropriate Authority; and any foster-child arriving in this area, whether it is reported to have
come to its parents or not, is visited to see that all is satisfactory.
A list is kept of approved persons who wish to undertake the nursing and maintenance of a
foster-child. No person is placed in this list until full details of her circumstances, etc., have been
supplied, and the Health Visitor has found the condition of the home satisfactory.
The interviewing of foster-mothers and other callers with regard to their difficulties and the
requirements of the Law, and other matters in regard to Infant Protection, involves an amount of
time which is out of all proportion to what would appear to be the total amount of work done.