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ment that it affords me an opportunity of expressing my
thanks to them, and to draw attention to the value of their
work.
I have elsewhere respectfully commented upon the constancy
of the regular staff of the department and their devotion
to duty during a trying and dangerous period, but these worthy
folk have carried on unfalteringly and resolutely when there
was nothing to tie them to their work but their own pride
in its accomplishment, and the consciousness of the value of
their service. It is with special pleasure, therefore, that I place
on record my appreciation of their work in the welfare service.
Child Life Protection. The recent publication of a tragic
example of failure to secure proper care for foster children
has thoroughly disturbed all those who have a responsibility
in this matter, and it is certain that everyone in such a position
has since examined and re-examined his own arrangements
to analyse whether there exists any possibility of such an
occurrence in his own area. There is, of course, such a possibility
and that is where a child is boarded out in this area
by some other authority.
There is a very great shortage of foster homes at the
present time and every authority is faced with the same difficulty.
It is almost impossible to extend the rota of foster
parents.
The tabulated details below reveal that there were six
foster homes on the register at the end of the year and 7 foster
children. Ninety-six visits were paid to these homes, an average
of 16 visits to each home.
Information from the County Public Health Department
is to the effect that there are no children boarded out in our
district by the Surrey County Council under public assistance
or other arrangements. Further assurances have been received
that information would be passed to the department if any
such children were boarded out in our area.
Registered homes under supervision during year 16
Registered homes under supervision at end of year 6
New homes registered during the year 2
Children on the register at the end of the year 7
Children brought on to the register during the year 2
Children removed out of the district 7
Visits paid to nurse children 96
Children died during the year —
Legal proceedings —
34