Glossary

Glossary terms starting with the letter S:

  • Sanatorium – Sanatoriums were medical facilities for long-term illness, commonly for treatment of tuberculosis.
  • Scatter Cottages – Scatter cottages were smaller homes for groups of children with houseparents, located away from the main institution.
  • School for Specific Purposes - New South Wales – Schools for Specific Purposes were public schools in NSW for children with special needs.
  • Sending Agency – Sending agencies were responsible for arranging the migration of children to Australia from Britain and Malta.
  • Service Children – Service children were under the guardianship of the WA department and had been placed to work for an employer.
  • Single Mothers – Single mothers and single pregnant women faced significant social stigma and many were placed in institutions during their pregnancy and to give birth.
  • State Ward – State wards were children under the guardianship and control of a state child welfare authority.
  • Status Offender – Status offender is a term to describe someone charged with an offence but hasn’t actually committed a criminal act.
  • Stolen Generations
  • Subsidised Institution – Subsidised institutions for children received a government payment for each eligible child accommodated there.
  • Supporting Mother's Benefit – Supporting Mothers’ Benefit was a Commonwealth allowance introduced in 1973 providing income support to single mothers.