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For internal circulation only .
APPENDIX
A Report on the Return of Evacuated Children to their Homes .
SECRET

1. Introduction

A sub-committee of the Bristol Information Committee was recently set up to investigate the problem of evacuated children being brought back to their homes. There have been two meetings of this sub-committee (the first on 23rd July and the second on 5th August) and they have now issued a report. The following summary of their observations has been made by Home Intelligence:-

The report begins by pointing out that the Committee fully recognises the complexity and novelty of the evacuation problem, and that mistakes and shortcomings are inevitable. The Committee, therefore, wishes it to be understood that their reference to these matters is not intended in any way as a criticism of hard-worked men and women, but that its sole object is to be helpful.

At its first meeting the subject of evacuation was considered under the following headings:-

(Arising out of this discussion a draft report was drawn up which was considered in detail at the second meeting. This was attended by Mr. Hannay and Miss Mann, of the Ministry of Health, and various modifications were suggested which are incorporated in this document.)

Several instances of unsatisfactory organisation in Bristol were brought forward at the first meeting, and it was agreed that these should be passed on to the appropriate authorities. Reference was made to unsatisfactory billets, foster parents, and the general arrangements for the reception of children. Here again it was decided that bad cases should be passed on to the responsible authority.

Mr. Popham, the Ministry of Information's Committee Officer in the South Western Region, reported that up to the 18th July, 85 out of 301 children recently evacuated to the Yeovil area had returned to their homes; in the Taunton area 56 children out of 195 evacuated there had also returned.

2. Causes of Return

Apart from the deep-rooted strength of family affection, other causes of returns are said to include:-

3. Conclusions and Recommendations

1. The Committee recommends that a definite attempt should be made to educate parents in their rights and duties concerning evacuation. Such educational work might be best carried on in the following ways:-

(a) By a pamphlet prepared by the local authority, which should set out in simple language, not official jargon, the relevant facts about evacuation, such as:-

Why evacuation is necessary.

Preliminary arrangements for evacuation.

Transport.

Billeting.

The financial responsibilities of the various authorities, and the rights of parents.

The means by which parents can get such assistance as may be necessary.

The responsibilities of the Billeting Officer and of the foster parents.

This pamphlet should be given to all parents whose children have the chance of being evacuated. It would help to remove many misconceptions which have antagonised parents to the evacuation scheme. The Committee discovered, for example, that there is a widespread, though quite unfounded, belief that treatment and reception of children varies according to the standard of assessment.

(b) The Committee feels that the publication of such a pamphlet would not in itself be enough. Regular meetings of parents should be organised, at which full explanations of evacuation policy would be given. Some responsible official ought to be present, and it should be his function, with the aid of films and speeches, to impress the parents with the necessity of leaving their children in safety. A display of films showing the children at work and play in their new homes would do much to reconcile parents to the separation.

(c) Parents Advice Bureaux . These should be set up in every part of the City, and should be preferably attached to the Local Information Bureau.

2. The Committee recommends periodical conferences to discuss evacuation problems. These conferences should be composed of officials and representative people concerned with evacuation, both in the towns from which the children are going and in the districts to which they are being sent. The Committee feels that the personal contacts which such Conferences would do a great deal of good.

3. The Committee heard with great satisfaction of the appointment of After-Care Officers by the Bristol Evacuation Committee; it strongly recommends, however, that everything possible should be done to avoid any conflict between the City and the County authorities. Thus, the Welfare Officers now appointed in the counties would need to be considered by these responsible for appointing these After-Care Officers.

4. The Committee recommends that never, if possible, should the educational prospects of the children be impaired; i.e. children of scholarship age and capacity should be placed where they can have some chance of qualifying for scholarships. Greater care should be taken to ensure that these children should have the best possible opportunities, and it is considered that, if necessary, this could be done by the provision of special transport facilities.

5. The first visit of the parents should not take place for at least a month after the child has been evacuated. Thereafter visits should not be too frequent.

6. Wherever possible the local Social Clubs for mothers and children should be the normal meeting place for visiting parents and their children. It is suggested that where such Clubs do not exist the local school should be used for this purpose during week-ends. The local Welfare Committees in the reception areas should be asked to provide tea for visitors, and it is also suggested that the W.V.S. might help. If necessary, the local food authorities should be asked to release such supplies as might be needed.

7. Parents who intend to withdraw their children should notify the Billeting Officer of this in advance, and foster parents should be satisfied that the person who takes the child away is either one of the parents or someone authorised by them to do so.

8. The Committee feels that more educational work is necessary in rural areas. Everything possible should be done to impress upon Billeting Officers, foster parents and the population in country districts, the vital need for evacuation. Talks about blitzed towns, and films showing the conditions from which the children come, would do much to maintain and increase sympathetic understanding.

9. The Committee finally wishes to stress a point which has arisen continually in this investigation, and that is the enormous importance of not relying solely on forms, official documents and mere machinery in carrying out this work. Evacuation affects fundamental human relationships; it can give rise to an infinite number of misunderstandings and can produce great bitterness in all classes, but rightly handled it can do great and incalculable good. Humane personal relationships with the parents are therefore essential, as are close and friendly contacts between urban and rural officials.

20th August, 1941

Home Intelligence.