The Intellectual Disability Services Council was created as a health centre under the South Australian Health Commission Act 1976. It was governed by an independent Board of Directors which included parents of children with intellectual disabilities. The role of IDSC was to plan and provide support and advocacy services to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. The IDSC operated a number of facilities for people with disabilities. In 2006 IDSC, along with Julia Farr Services, became part of the government department, Disability SA.