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Access Conditions
Access to these records is restricted. People wishing to access restricted records can either contact their nearest Community Services Centre to apply or they can post the information; an application form must be completed together with proof of identity provided.
Records
Children and young people deemed to be state wards were were placed in departmental establishments, residential or foster care programs, or with non-government agencies.
State Ward 'B' files were created for children and young people in 'care' from 1955. Although the information on each file varies, the records include: orders of court, reports on wards and foster Homes, correspondence concerning name changes and requests for adoption are included.
If a ward was put up for adoption, the State Ward 'B' File was discontinued. Otherwise, the State Ward file was discontinued when the young people turned 18.
The guide Connecting Kin (1998) stated that the Department held over 53,000 State Ward 'B' files.
