The Training Schools Act 1867 (1867 - 1896)

This legislation provides details about who can be sent to a Training School, minimum and maximum terms of detention at a Training School, release from Training Schools, Inspection of Training Schools and punishment, including hard labour, for children who run away or 'misbehave' whilst detained in a Training School. Children detained in a Training School could also be apprenticed or allowed to live outside of the Training School with a 'trustworthy and respectful person'. The legislation also details access to the Training School of religious practitioners to administer religious instruction, as well as the financial responsibilities of parents or guardians of children detained in a Training School.

Under this legislation Training schools were to be certified by the Colonial Secretary, this certificate could also be revoked by the Colonial Secretary. Any building works or alterations had to be passed by the Colonial Secretary as did any rules for the management of children detained at the school.

Although this legislation enabled Training Schools to refuse to take a child, once a child was accepted in a Training School the Training School had to educate, clothe, lodge and feed that child for the entirety of their mandated detention. The Colonial Secretary could move a child from one Training School to another, and in the event of a Training School closing the Colonial Secretary could discharge children or move them to another Training School.