Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1918-01-01 - (Accumulation)
- 1917-01-01 - 1972-06-16 (Creation)
Level of description
Medium
Format
Status
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
Following a change of permanent head, the Public Charities and Children's Department became one department, the State Children's Department in 1917, to reflect the greater emphasis placed on protection of juveniles.
In 1927 the Child Welfare Act replaced the State Children Act and the departmental name was changed accordingly. The Department continued to be responsible for the Perth Children's Court.
Name of creator
Administrative history
In 1927 the State Children Act Amendment Act was passed changing the name of the principal Act and the State Children's Department to Child Welfare Act and Child Welfare Department respectively. Responsibility for the Child Welfare function remained with the Chief Secretary until 1931 when it was passed to the Minister for Mines.
In 1934 a separate portfolio was created for child welfare. The Child Welfare Department was abolished in 1972 and its functions passed to the newly created Department for Community Welfare.
Repository
Archival history
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This files series constitutes the main group of departmental files of the State Children's Department and the Child Welfare Department.
The file series documents a range of matters including departmental policy, the operation and administration children's homes, child immigration, as well as more administrative concerns such as the preparation of annual reports.
The Department of Community Welfare top-numbered and integrated many files from this series into the "A" series files - see Record Series No. 1099.
(Files in this Record Series include items that were previously listed at the State Records Office at reference: AN 320/7, Accession 2606).