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(g) DELICATE CHILDREN. These are children who, by
reason of impaired physical condition, cannot, without risk to
their health, be educated under the normal régime of an
ordinary school. A few are suffering from some well-defined
condition such as asthma, but the majority simply present a
lowered stamina for various reasons, which can be built up
with careful management and usually remains normal thereafter.
So far as possible these children are sent for treatment
to the Fyfield Residential Open-Air School, near Ongar; some
are sent to convalescent homes, approved by the Ministry of
Education, for long-term cases. Figures relating to the admissions
to Fyfield and to convalescent homes will be found on
pages 95 and 97.
The number of children ascertained as delicate during the
year was 574, and their disposal was as follows:—
Admitted to Fyfield 170
Admitted to Convalescent Homes* 296
Refused to go away 43
Went away through other sources 4
Removed from district 2
On waiting list for Fyfield or convalescence at end of
year 59
*These include children too young, or otherwise unsuitable,
for Fyfield, and children whose parents withhold consent for
admission to Fyfield.
(h) MALADJUSTED CHILDREN. These are children
who shew evidence of emotional instability or psychological
disturbance, and require special educational treatment in order
to effect their personal, social or educational readjustment. Such
children are first investigated and the diagnosis established at
the Child-Guidance Clinic. The special educational treatment
required is advised by the Clinic and often wholly or partly
carried out there. The number of children ascertained as
maladjusted during the year was 46, of whom 1 was sent to a
special boarding school.
(i) DIABETIC PUPILS. These are pupils suffering from
diabetes who cannot obtain the treatment they need while living
at home, and require residential care. Where regular and
effective medical treatment and care can be given to a child
living at home there is no need to disturb his education. If
satisfactory care and treatment is impossible at home, the child
may be admitted to a hostel where this can be given; even so,
he will attend an ordinary school. There are 4 such children
known to the School Health Service. One child who was
admitted to the London County Council Diabetic Unit at
Hutton in 1945 was still in the Hostel in 1947. The number
of new cases ascertained during the year was 3, all of whom
were admitted to the above Unit. One of these has since been
discharged.
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