Malvern Cottage (1972 - 1980)

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Malvern Cottage at 72 Cheltenham Street, Malvern, was purchased by the Department of Community Welfare in 1972. It opened on 8 December 1972. It provided accommodation for children who were wards of the State in a 'family group'. It accommodated up to ten children who were generally of school-going age.

Departmental Annual Reports from the 1960s stressed the belief that cottage style care enabled greater individual attention to be given to each child. The Department also felt that children living in cottage style accommodation and attending local schools would be less conspicuous as 'State' children, making it easier for them to become part of the local community. The cottage system also allowed for brothers and sisters to be placed together. Reports also noted that providing cottage style care was less costly for the government than running large institutions.

Malvern Cottage closed in 1980.