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The low ascertainment figure of 0.93 per 1,000 in
the area is largely accounted for by the fact that the
Local Education Authority arrange for a big number of
cases which come to their notice to attend a special school
and children are notified only when it is eventually found
that they are not educable or that continued attendance at
the special school is undesirable for various reasons, e.g., owing
to having a detrimental effect upon others.
I have no doubt whatever that very few defective children,
if any, escape being brought to my notice, but it lis possible that
a few adults who have recently come into this district may be
overlooked, unless I am notified by the Local Authority from
whose area they have arrived.
Supervision.
On 31st December, 1927, there were 305 Mental Defectives
on the register, of which number 110—67 Males, and 43 Females
—were in Institutions, the remainder being under supervision.
Supervision is carried out by a specially appointed Nurse, who
has had a number of years' experience in this type of work.
There are 195 cases—110 Males, 85 Females—under supervision
in their homes, many of whom are under supervision only
because Institutional treatment is not obtainable. All these
cases are visited at intervals of from one to three months according
to the circumstances of the individual case. Frequent
visits to the homes of defectives for supervision purposes are,
however, in a large percentage of cases a very fruitless task,
because for the most part the home conditions cannot be changed
nor is it often possible to place the defective into an Institution
or give any other additional help. In these circumstances 'it is
not unnatural that the relatives of the defective should refuse to
supply necessary information. In cases where any laxity of care
at home is reported, however, all endeavours to obtain more
suitable conditions are made.
Cuardianship.
At present two cases only are under guardianship. One, a
female of 27 years of age, was placed under the guardianship
of her parents in October, 1926, after a period of detention at
Stoke Park Colony, since when both her father and mother have
died. She is now under the guardianship of her married sister.
Arrangements were made with the Essex Voluntary Association
for her to attend the Occupation Centre in Greenleaf Road,
Walthamstow, in May last, and she is still in regular attendance.
Very satisfactory reports on her progress and conduct are
received from the Centre from time to time. The defective is
visited by the Nurse at frequent intervals, and also defective
is medically examinedw at varying periods.
The other case, a girl aged 19 years, is under the guardianship
of her mother, and also attends the above named Voluntary
Occupation Centre.
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