This is an important book about the beginnings of child welfare in New South Wales. It outlines steps taken to alleviate children's poverty, and the establishment of industrial schools, reformatories, training vessels and the development of the boarding out system, which led to the closure of the large orphanages and institutions that had handled destitute children in the past.
This is an important book but readers should note that, while author sees these changes as positive, many historians have pointed out that the child welfare system was an important way to control poor families and their children, and that institutions and the boarding out system could be abusive.