Salvation Army Child Care and Family Centre, Jacana

Jacana history in brief

After the Catherine Booth Girls Home in East Kew closed in 1975–76, the Salvation Army built a new centre in Jacana, in the City of Broadmeadows.

By the late 1970s, the Salvation Army had a small 'cluster village' of three units that were a cross between small residential care units and family group homes, with one for temporary care. In 1978, the temporary care unit changed to longer-term care.

The Salvation Army Child Care and Family Centre, Jacana housed 24 children. A social worker worked with the children’s families to prevent further breakdown when children returned home.

By the late 1980s, services at Jacana included emergency accommodation, respite care and parenting skills classes.

Warning about distressing information

This guide contains information that some people may find distressing. If you experienced abuse as a child or young person in an institution mentioned in this guide, it may be a difficult reading experience.Guides may also contain references to previous views, policies and practices that are regrettable and do not reflect the current views, policies or practices of the department or the State of Victoria. If you find this content distressing, please consult with a support person either from the Department of Health and Human Services or another agency.

Disclaimer

Please note that the content of this administrative history is provided for general information only and does not purport to be comprehensive. The department does not guarantee the accuracy of this administrative history. For more information on the history of child welfare in Australia, see Find & Connect.

Source

Guide to out-of-home care services 1940–2000: volume one – agency descriptions, compiled by James Jenkinson Consulting, North Melbourne, November 2001.

List of records held by the department

For information relating to the central management of care leavers and wards of state, please consult the guide to Central department wardship and out-of-home care records. These collections date back to the 1860s and include ward registers, index cards and ward files.

Voluntary children’s homes files (c.1930-c.1985)

File; Permanent VPRS Number 18069 / P0002

Content: The files record interaction between the various voluntary homes and the government. This filing system was created in 1975, combining earlier correspondence and other records to create one system with VH prefixes.

The specific files relating to Jacana Child Care and Family Centre are dated 1975–82 and include:

• plans for Jacana unit, c.1975
• correspondence regarding proposed closure of Catherine Booth House and development of three self-contained units, 1975
• press clippings, opposition from residents in Broadmeadows to the new facility, 1976
• correspondence regarding facilities, occupancy, subsidies (for under-utilised accommodation), funding, services, regional needs et cetera, 1975–80.
• correspondence regarding taking over family group homes in Pascoe Vale, Gladstone Park and transfer of staff from Hayville, 1980–82

Staffing Priorities Committee, homes and hostels files (1796-83)

File; Temporary

Content: This collection comprises files documenting the recommendations for staffing positions for homes and hostels, correspondence between the Minister of Community Welfare Services and senior officers as well as funding information.

The Staffing Priorities Committee made recommendations to the minister regarding priority of staffing positions required. Individual homes and hostels are listed accompanied by comprehensive material concerning each home, family group home or hostel. There are also minutes from the approved children's homes and hostels meetings from 1978–80.

The specific file relating to Jacana Child Care and Family Centre dates from 1976–78.

Staffing Priorities Committee, homes and hostels, correspondence, guidelines for operation and minutes of meetings (1976-80)

File; Unappraised

Content: The material includes ministerial correspondence, and Staffing Priority Committee minutes and list of members.The Staffing Priorities Committee made recommendations to the minister regarding priority of staffing positions required.