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29
It was resolved that an invitation be extended to the neighbouring
autonomous Maternity and Child Welfare Authorities
to discuss the question of the provision of a hostel.
In April a conference of the autonomous Maternity and Child
Welfare Authorities was held at Mitcham. The need for hostel
accommodation was generally agreed, but the Medical Officer of
Health of Mitcham was requested to draw up concrete proposals
for establishing a hostel in order that the position might be more
fully discussed at a subsequent meeting.
The following report was submitted to the Maternity and
Child Welfare Committee:—
The number of illegitimate children born has considerably
increased since 1939, and in many areas this increase exceeds
50 per cent.
The Moral Welfare Associations have always undertaken the
main responsibilities for the care of these cases, and local authorities
have been asked to contribute only occasionally to the cost
of maintenance of special cases. These local Moral Welfare Associations
are largely independent in their administration, but most
of them in this part of Surrey are affiliated to the Southwark
Diocesan Association for Moral Welfare who, in a few instances,
make small financial grants.
The Moral Welfare Associations employ social welfare
workers, and consultation with these experienced workers has
shown that they are unanimously agreed on the following points:
1. That further institutional accommodation is urgently
required.
2. That relations can frequently be persuaded to take back
the mother and accept the baby as one of the family
provided institutional accommodation is available
for a few months whilst awaiting the relatives'
acceptance of the position.
3. That early adoption is undesirable. A mother who has
had her baby for a month will rarely part with the
child willingly.
4. That girls who have been urged and have agreed to have
the baby adopted very frequently return within a