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In addition to the medical examination of the children facilities are also given
to the medical officers to observe the environmental conditions and to make a critical
assessment of their value in promoting health.
A well planned and well run nursery school with good open-air life, space, adequate
clothing, and a really high standard of feeding, will ensure the well-being of the
children, increase their resistance to disease and reduce the risk of infection.
CONVALESCENT TREATMENT
Children are sent away mainly through the Invalid Children's Aid Association. They
usually require short-term treatment on the lines of a recuperative holiday. They are
generally below par and are classed as debilitated and need a change of environment. Some,
however, have had a recent illness such as influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia, or are troubled
with attacks of upper respiratory catarrh, and are recommended by their general practitioners
for a change of air. The average length of stay is three weeks but in a few special cases
an extension of a week or two is requested. This is usually granted. The mothers take a
great deal of interest in these convalescent cases and when invited to bring their children
for purposes of reinspection attend in good numbers. The results generally are very satisfactory
and at reinspection the improvement had in most cases been maintained. The administrative
arrangements have been in the hands of the West Ham Branch of the Invalid and
Children's Aid Association for some years, and have this year again been carried out in a
most efficient way. The personal interest shown by the staff, backed by their experience,
has been much appreciated.
During the year 104 children were sent to convalescent homes in the way described.
EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS
The present bye-laws regulating the employment of children were adopted by the Council
in 1949. These bye-laws, made under the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, replaced the
bye-laws made by the Council in 1934. Important alterations were:-
(a) No child under the age of l4 years shall be employed.
(b) No child shall be employed on any week-day except from 7 a.m.
to 8 a.m. provided that the employment during this hour is
restricted to the delivery of milk, bread or newspapers.
Other features of the Regulations are that Sunday is prescribed as a whole holiday
and no child shall be employed on that day. No child taking part in any entertainment in
pursuance of a licence under Section 22 of the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, shall
be employed on the day or days of, or the day following, such entertainment, in any other
employment. No child shall be employed in any work out of doors unless he is suitably shod
and is suitably clad for protection against the weather. Furthermore, under Section 18 of
the Children and Young Persons Act, 1933, no child shall be employed to lift, carry, or
move anything so heavy as to be likely to cause injury to him. The greater part of the
work undertaken by children in this Borough consists of newspaper and milk delivery and
other errand rounds. Occasionally a girl is examined in connection with paper delivery.
The school medical officer carrying out the examination signs a certificate to the effect
that the employment will not be prejudicial to the health or physical development of the
child and will not render him unfit to obtain proper benefit from his education. In
practice children from all types of school - grammar, technical, modern and special (E.S.N.)
121