Boarding out was the original term used to describe the placement of children and young people in the care of a foster mother or foster parents in a private home.
When the practice of boarding out began in the 1850s children could be placed with or without the payment of a government subsidy. It was first incorporated into legislation in the Destitute Persons Relief Act 1866. By the 1960s this practice was referred to as foster care.
Prepared by: Karen George and Gary George
Created: 27 October 2011, Last modified: 4 May 2015
Last updated: 7 August 2023
Cite this: https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/sa/biogs/SE00799b.htm
First published by the Find & Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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