State Government of Victoria
In 1995 the Victorian Department of Human Services (DHS) became responsible for dealing with children placed in the care of the state. This child welfare 'function' has been the responsibility of many different government agencies in Victoria since 1864. Most records of the predecessor agencies of DHS remained in the custody of DHS. Other records were held by Public Record Office Victoria (PROV). On 1 January 2015 the Department of Human Services ceased to exist and its functions were transferred to the new Department of Health & Human Services (DHSS).
1864 - 1887 Department of Industrial and Reformatory Schools
1887 - 1900 Department for Neglected Children
1901 - 1924 Department for Neglected Children
1924 - 1960 Children's Welfare Department
1960 - 1970 Social Welfare Branch
1970 - 1978 Social Welfare Department
1978 - 1985 Department of Community Welfare Services
1985 - 1992 Community Services Victoria
1992 - 1995 Health and Community Services
1995 - 2014 Department of Human Services
2015 - Department of Health & Human Services
Sources used to compile this entry: 'Submission 68', in Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption Policies and Practices: submissions received by the Committee, Commonwealth of Australia, 2011, http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Completed_inquiries/2010-13/commcontribformerforcedadoption/submissions; Public Record Office Victoria, Adoption, Ward of State and Care Leaver records, Government of Victoria, 2020, https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/adoption-ward-state-and-care-leaver-records.
Prepared by: Cate O'Neill
Created: 19 February 2009, Last modified: 28 February 2019
Last updated: 7 August 2023
Cite this: https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/vic/biogs/E000125b.htm
First published by the Find & Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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