52 Environment and Efficiency 



boys, but at present, owing to the lack of funds, there are 

 only about 20. 



The Home originally consisted of 2 private houses, which 

 have since been thrown into one. A playroom is provided 

 for the younger boys, and a combined study and meal-room 

 for the elder. The latter have also separate bedrooms, which, 

 although plainly furnished, give scope for just those little 

 individual touches which so seldom show themselves in a 

 typical institution room. 



The life here is essentially home-like ; and though it may 

 perhaps possess points in common with the Poor Law Scattered 

 Home, yet it differs considerably, as in this case the foster 

 mother or superintendent is a woman of culture, having a ver}' 

 varied experience of social work. The lady superintendent 

 is assisted by a matron who is a trained nurse, and an 

 assistant matron. Those of the children who are old enough 

 attend the nearest council and church school. 



It is particularly desired that a child should be admitted at 

 as early an age as possible, and at the time of my visit the 

 youngest boy was two years old. 



On admission to the home, the parents of the child, if 

 alive, agree to renounce all claim to determine its future. 



Of records I have 10. They are not entered in any case- 

 book, but were given to me verbally by the lady super- 

 intendent. As far as she could remember, these were all the 

 children who had passed out of her hands since the Home 

 was started. 



I have already mentioned in section II (page 12, above) that 

 I do not consider these records of any value as records in 

 themselves. Two only have been kept for five and six years, 

 and of 4 the length of record is not given, but I imagine they 

 were kept only for very short periods. But the histories of 

 some of these children are especially interesting, as showing 

 what may be made of the slum-child in a better environment. 

 Most of the children were sent to the Home from London slums. 



