Records, 1896-1985, [manuscript], Children's Protection Society (Vic.)

Records, 1896-1985, [manuscript], Children’s Protection Society (Vic.), MS 10384, are held at the State Library of Victoria. The records date from 1896 to 1985. They include children’s case histories for the Central and Barwon regions, financial records, press cuttings and some photographs.

Access Conditions

Any person wishing to view material must contact the Children’s Protection Society, which is now called Kids First Australia. Kids First Australia will liaise directly with the State Library to obtain the records.

To access these records a care leaver will need to provide their date of birth, surname/name from their time in care, photocopy of a driver’s licence or other approved photo identification in writing.

If you are accessing records on behalf of a care leaver you must get a consent form signed by the care leaver.

Records

The collection of Children’s Protection Society Records held at the State Library of Victoria includes client files, press cuttings, minutes and financial records.

Files vary in size and content and won’t necessarily contain the same information. However the children’s case histories may contain information regarding family circumstances, behaviour of children, whereabouts and financial situation of parents, other relatives who might be involved in looking after the children, actions proposed and taken depending on circumstances, information regarding school reports and medical/dental reports.

Please note there are gaps in the collection. It is not known where the missing client files are, but they were never transferred to the State Library of Victoria.

In 2019, Kids First Australia received a Records Access Documentation Grant to preserve the records, and create an electronic listing of the children’s case histories to improve searching and response times to care leavers.

The collection includes:

• Children’s Case Histories – Central Region – file numbers 3000 to 18471; 73/000 to 78/490. The first 3000 files are missing, further files are also missing throughout the series
• Children’s Case Histories – Barwon Region – 78/BAR/001 to 85/BAR/001. There are also case history files arranged by name A-Z. Note: some files are missing.
• [Barwon Region?] Ledger of Cases, Feb 1944-May 1950
• Copy Letter Books, 1930-1961
• Minute Books of the Executive Committee, 1896-1973
• Ledgers and Cash Book, 1944-1959
• Album of Press Cuttings, 1896-1982
• Legislation and Printed Matter, 1910-1970
• Statistical Records, Enquiries, Miscellaneous Correspondence, Press Cuttings and Photographs, 1933-1971 – includes letters and press cuttings about Seaside Garden Home for Boys, Newhaven and St John’s Homes for Boys

There is a finding aid with more details about the contents of this collection, titled: ‘Children’s Protection Society (Vic.) – Records 1896 – 1972 – MS 10384′. In the finding aid, the collection is referred to as Children’s Protection Society Records, 1896 – 1985’.