23 MARCH 1956, Page 24

THE DEPRIVED CHILD AND THE COMMUNITY. BY

Donald Ford. (Constable, 20s.)

MR. FORD has served as Chairman of the LCC Childen's Committee and has had wide experi' ence with children deprived of a normal home life. He gives a critical account of the machinery which has been set up to deal with this problem, including a survey of adoption. fostering, Children's Homes, illegitimacy and the matter of the 'inadequate parent.' On the last two points at least he has some sharp and disturbing things to say. This is an excellent and important book, and ought to arouse considerable general interest. One's only doubt is whether all those involved in the care of the deprived child are anything like as conscien- tious and self-aware as Mr. Ford clearly Is