The Post Adoption Resource Centre (PARC) was opened by the Benevolent Society of New South Wales in 1991 following the introduction of the New South Wales Adoption Information Act 1990. PARC provides information, advice, support and counselling to adopted people, birth parents and adoptive parents, and former residents of Scarba House.
Initial contact with the Post-Adoption Resource Centre is through the organisation’s head office, which in 2012 was based in Hurstville. It provides services statewide. PARC has a sister organisation in Queensland called Post Adoption Support Queensland (PASQ).
Former residents of Scarba House can also contact PARC to talk to staff who are familiar with aspects of the history of Scarba House. People do not have to have been adopted to use this service, and PARC also offers support to those affected by family separation. While there are significant gaps in the records, files from 1967 do survive. If you would like to review your file this can be arranged. You will need to apply in writing and enclose copies of ID which will prove your identity and also explain any name changes. People who have been adopted should telephone first so staff can explain what additional information they need to supply.
Former residents are also entitled to complain to the Duty Counsellor at PARC if they have concerns about anything that happened while they were in care. Complaints will be taken seriously and will be treated in confidence and investigated by an independent person.