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Guardianship, There were three defectives under guardianship at the end of the
year. They were all females aged 62, 49 and 21 years respectively and have been with their
present guardians for 21, 19 and 31 years. All are with guardians outside West Ham and were
supervised by the local health authority of the area in which they reside. Cases under
guardianship are visited at approximately six-monthly intervals by a member of the Health
Committee and by one of the Council's medical officers.
Temporary Accommodation for Defectives. During the year arrangements were made
for 6 defectives to receive temporary care. Four were females aged 68, tyl, 38 and 37 years
and two were males aged 12 and 6 years. Five were accommodated at South Ockendon Institution
by the kind permission of the Physician Superintendent and one by arrangement with the
Guardianship Society, Brighton.
Institutional Accommodation. Twelve defectives were admitted to South Ockendon
Institution. The age and sex incidence was:-
Male Female
Children 0 - 5
Children 5 - 15 3 2
Adults 5 2
At the end of the year, there were 5 defectives in the area awaiting institutional
accommodation. Three of these, adult males and former poor law patients, are in Forest
Gate Hospital not under Order and are on the waiting list for admission to South Ockendon
Institution.
Home Training. No special arrangements existed for the home training of defectives^
Occupation Centre.
There were 8 new admissions during 1956. At the beginning of the year there
were 58 children on the register and at the end of the year in December 195& there were 64
children on the register. Discharges were as follows:-
1 child left the district
1 child was admitted to South Ockendon Hospital.
The annual outing of the children took place in May and they visited Lake Meadows,
Billericay. It was a successful and a happy day for the children.
In June the Handicraft Instructor began the practical part of the N.A.M.H. Diploma
Course from which he returned in October.
In July there was an Open Afternoon for the younger groups in which there was a
sale of children's handiwork. It was attended by about 50 visitors consisting of parents,
officials and friends. In September one of the Assistant Supervisors began a year's
Course for Teachers of the Mentally Handicapped held by the N.A.M.H. This was the first
of the Occupation Centre staff to Join this Course.
In November, an Open Day for the whole Centre was arranged and about 100 people
attended. They were given an opportunity of seeing the children at work and the variety
of activities and occupations which are included in their curriculum.
At Christmas, the Children's Party was visited by the Mayor and Mayoress of West
Ham, and Santa Claus paid his usual visit and delighted the children who thoroughly
enjoyed the festivities.
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