Destitute Poor Department (1849 - 1910)

South Australian Government

From

1849

To

1910

Categories

Care Provider and Government Department

The Destitute Poor Department was responsible for providing relief and care for destitute persons, including children, throughout South Australia. It ran the Destitute Asylum. As a result of the passing of the Destitute Persons Act Amendment Act in 1886 responsibility for state children was passed from the Destitute Poor Department to the new State Children's Department. In 1910, the Destitute Poor Department changed its name to the Destitute Persons' Department, with responsibility for destitute adults only.