Holiday Hosts

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Glossary Term

Many institutions sent children to 'holiday hosts' for weekends or short stays during school holiday periods, so that staff employed at the children's Home could take leave. The 'Forgotten Australians' report noted that the use of holiday hosts was 'often undertaken in an uncoordinated manner with expediency rather than child welfare being a primary consideration'. In submissions to the inquiry, memories of placements with holiday hosts varied widely, from happy memories to abusive treatment. For some young people, their involvement with holiday hosts did not end when they left 'care'. In some cases, the holiday host remained involved, by providing private board or other support when the young person left a Home to start paid employment.