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1908-1932 are now included in Part VII of the Public Health Act,
1936, which came into force on the 1st October, 1937, and the
original Acts have been repealed.
The 4 Health Visitors are appointed Infant Protection Visitors
for the purposes of the Act and strict and regular supervision is
exercised over the foster homes in the district. Many of the
foster children are received for short periods only, either pending
adoption or as temporary arrangements made by the rescue societies
until more or less permanent homes can be found. Although the
average number of foster children on the register at one time was
about 40, yet there were no fewer than 46 newcomers and 47 who
left the district during the 12 months. It is primarily these
frequent changes from one home to another which are responsible
for the poor general condition which many foster infants are
found to exhibit.
Successful legal proceedings were taken against one person for
failing to notify the reception and subsequent removal of a foster
child. A fine of 20s. was imposed on each count.
Summarised information relating to the supervision of foster
children during the year is as follows:—
Registered homes under supervision at the end of the year 31
New homes registered during the year 18
Children on the register at the end of the year 40
Children brought on to the register during the year 46
Children removed from the register during the year 47
Total number of foster homes under supervision
during the year 46
Total number of foster children on the register
during the year 87
Deaths —
Legal Proceedings 1
Visits paid to foster children 400
DAY NURSERY.
A day nursery administered by a voluntary Committee and
situated near the centre of the district provides 18 places. It is
supported by a substantial grant from the Council.
The number of attendances in 1937 was 2895, an average of 13
for the days on which the nursery was open. The attendances
were 390 higher than in the year before.
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