17.02.68

London is now mine. I can once again explore as much as I like in my free time by bus, underground and on foot without restriction.
 

86. 22.02.68 Report of Child Care Officer.

The mother and Philip were out at the library when I called the first time, and the mother’s brother was looking after their mother.

When I called back later on, Philip met me at the door looking very cheerful and happy. He was obviously very pleased to be at home, and his mother assured me that everything was going well, at least where Philip was concerned.

He talked excitedly about what he had been doing since Saturday, but said he was missing Lenton from Harpenden, and was anxious about who was looking after the guinea pigs etc.

The mother is intending to write to the Houseparent that looked after Philip very shortly.

Philip’s grandmother is much the same, and needs constant attention still. It was obvious that the mother is getting little sleep at night, and is on the go most of the time, but she was cheerful and uncomplaining, and obviously pleased to have Philip home.

So far they had still no news of the proposed move to Wiltshire, nor had the landlord commented on their still being in the flat, but the mother promised to let me know as soon as there were any definite dates.

The mother and Philip had an interview with the Headmaster of the local school the following day.  

MY ANSWER. In London I was happy, simply being on my own was all I wanted. It was easy to keep me quiet and not in the way, as I now had my own bedroom. Books and toys that I had brought from the Home could now be around me. My clothes were all in one place. With the short visits home, often there was a limited assortment of clothes but now everything I owned was here. 

If I showed interest in the Home, it was down to the possibility that I might return. Knowing that during the day I would be sent off to school, even though the time I would spend at the school would only be for a short while, I was quite happy, although rather bored with junior school lessons.  

87. 04.04.68 Report of Child Care Officer.

I called to see how the mother’s plans were progressing.

Philip was busily cooking his tea, with his mother’s guidance and talked cheerfully about his activities during the last few weeks.

He is obviously happily occupied at home, and I thought his speech and general behaviour were less excitable and disjointed.

However, he is not enjoying school as much as he did at Harpenden, and was looking forward to the Easter Holidays.

His mother was hopeful that there would be a good comprehensive school in or near Swindon that Philip will be able to attend when they move.

The mother at last has a more or less definite date for moving April 29th. She has been to a small village outside Swindon, to see the house and shop, and was quite pleased with all the arrangements.

The mother is hoping to get her mother into hospital for a fortnight while they pack up and sort out their furniture etc.

She promised to keep me informed as to their movements and any further developments.  

MY ANSWER. I was more settled in London. I could do what I wanted, when I wanted, and I was willing to fit in with what everyone else wanted to do. Here there were no petty rules that had been set for the sake of it.

The school I had been sent to was the same one I attended before going to the Home. I had soon made friends again with one of the boys who remembered me. The school had changed; there was now a new Headmaster and the buildings had been brought more up to date with bright colours and several new activities that were part of the daily routine.

One slight problem was that lessons were boring. Originally, I think I was in the ‘B’ stream when I first went there. As it was known that my stay was only for a short while, so that I did not disrupt the flow of lessons for others with the need to settle me into a new environment, I was now placed in the equivalent of a ‘D’ stream. Lessons were equal to those I had been given when I was first here. As long as you were quiet, you could do what you wanted – read, draw or do any activity as long as it was quiet. The books here had already been conquered, so much of my time was spent colouring pictures. It was fun for a few days, but not for several weeks. I was quite happy that soon we would move; although I liked London, to be free in the country seemed a good move to me.  

88. 14.05.68 Letter to Clinic at St. Albans from Child Care Officer.

Thank you for this letter regarding the boy, Philip returned to his mother in February, and I have been visiting the family in London. The mother and Philip have just moved to a small village near Swindon.

Philip returned home as he was becoming increasingly unhappy at the Harpenden Children’s Home, but he seemed to settle happily with his mother again. When I last saw the mother she suggested that Philip be given time to settle in the new home before Child Guidance was reconsidered.

As soon as we have the new address in Wiltshire, the Child Care Officer will call to see what the position is.  

89. 14.05.68 Report of Child Care Officer.

I called at the London address, but there was no reply, and it was obvious that they had moved, as there were no curtains at the windows.

The mother said she would inform us of her new address, and discuss the possibility of Philip attending the Child Guidance Clinic in Wiltshire if necessary.  

90. 20.05.68 Letter to Rev. Gordon. E. Barritt. NCH London from the Governor NCH Harpenden.

Thank you for the copy of the Child Care Officer’s report on Philip and the mother has now given us their new address.  

91. 18.06.68 Letter to NCH Bristol from NCH London.

Enclosed is a case history on Philip, who was at Harpenden, but recently returned to his mother and is now living near Swindon, Wilts. The family have been visited under Family Aid, and I should be glad if you could visit them at their new address.

Continued

Please click on link

http://www.philipastrangechild.com/page_1170550443234.html

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