The Woodville Assessment Unit opened in Woodville in 1990. Run by the Department for Family and Community Services, it provided short term, smaller group care for State children. During 1991-92 it took over part of the role of the Clarence Park Assessment Unit. In 1992 it was renamed the Woodville Community Unit.
During the 1970s to 1980s, the department used smaller residential care units for State children rather than large institutions. Admission Units provided short term crisis care; Assessment Units were used for teenage young offenders and other units provided therapeutic care for children with specific needs. Community Units provided longer term care and also assisted young people to move gradually back into the community.
In the 1990s, however, due to a lack of availability of foster care or residential care placements, children as young as eight were often placed in the same units as young people in their upper teens.
In 1992 the Woodville Assessment Unit was renamed the Woodville Community Unit.
From
1990
To
1992
1990 - 1992
Woodville Assessment Unit was situated at Woodville, South Australia (Building Unknown)
Subsequent