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South Australia - Organisation

Children's Welfare and Public Relief Board (1927 - 1966)

From
1927
To
1966
Categories
Care Provider and Government Agency

The Children's Welfare and Public Relief Board replaced both the State Children's Council and the Destitute Board in 1926 as a result of the passing of the Maintenance Act 1926. The new Board took responsibility for all matters relating to destitute and neglected children and adults and had the power to proclaim institutions for State children. The Children's Welfare and Public Relief Board was abolished in 1965 with the passing of the Maintenance Act Amendment Act 1965. It was replaced by the Social Welfare Advisory Council which unlike the Board played only an advisory role. The powers of the Children's Welfare and Public Relief Board were transferred to the new Minister and Department of Social Welfare.

Details

Under the provisions of the Maintenance Act 1926, the powers and functions of the Children's Welfare and Public Relief Board included:

  • the care, management and control of the persons and property of all State children, and the supervision of all children nursed by foster mothers
  • the power to apprentice and place out State children
  • the power to licence fit and proper persons to be foster mothers to children under the age of 7 years
  • the supervision of all illegitimate children under the age of 7 years, and the homes of such children
  • the power to appoint institutions for the reception, detention, education, employmet, training or reformation of State children
  • the control, supervision and management of institutions

Timeline

 1849 - 1886 Destitute Board
       1886 - 1927 State Children's Council
             1927 - 1966 Children's Welfare and Public Relief Board
                   1966 - 1970 Department of Social Welfare
                         1970 - 1972 Department of Social Welfare and Aboriginal Affairs
                               1972 - 1990 Department for Community Welfare
                                     1990 - 1998 Department for Family and Community Services
                                           1998 - 2004 Family and Youth Services, Department of Human Services
                                                 2004 - 2006 Children, Youth and Family Services, Department for Families and Communities
                                                       2006 - 2011 Families SA, Department for Families and Communities
                                                             2011 - 2016 Families SA, Department for Education and Child Development
                                                             2011 - 2018 Department for Communities and Social Inclusion
                                                                   2016 - Department for Child Protection
                                                                   2018 - Department of Human Services

Provided 'Care' At

Related Glossary Terms

Related Legislation

Related Organisations

Publications

Online Resources

Sources used to compile this entry: George, Karen, Finding your own way, Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc., 2005, http://nunku.org.au/resources/.

Prepared by: Karen George and Gary George