The Public Charities and State Children Department was established in 1908, following the passage of the State Children Act of 1907. This Act established the State Children’s Department which operated in conjunction with the Public Charities Department and was known as the Public Charities and State Children’s Department. Previously, child welfare had been the responsibility of the Superintendent of Poor Relief and Charitable Institutions, part of the Colonial Secretary’s Office. In 1917 the title of the Department was changed to the State Children’s Department.
The State Records Office website provides an overview of the Public Charities and State Children Department:
Responsibility for, and activities aimed at the protection of children culminated in the passing of the State Children Act of 1907 (proclaimed March 1908). This Act established the State Children’s Department which operated in conjunction with the Public Charities Department and was known as the Public Charities and State Children’s Department. The Act also established the first Children’s Court in January 1908, which was responsible to the State Children’s Department.
In 1917 the title of the Department was changed to State Children’s Department.
A letter of appreciation for the donation from The Daily News Orphans’ Christmas Cheer Fund in 1915 gives an insight into life as a State Child, where donations from the public gave extras to the children that were not part of their normal life:
430 poor children benefitted from your generosity. Each of the children were granted 2s. 6d…I again sincerely thank you on behalf of the large number of children whose Christmas was rendered happier by your liberality than it might have been otherwise.Letter, 3 February 1916 published in The Daily News 2 December 1916
From
1 January 1908
To
1 January 1917
Alternative Names
State Children's Department
Charities Department
