| Access Conditions | Many records within this collection are available for research, by appointment only, at our Records and Archives Centre in London.
Please note: Because we have a limited number of staff, it will not be possible to view records without an appointment. It is preferred that requests reflect bona fide interests or projects.
Appointments can be made by contacting the Records and Archives Centre and outlining the research you wish to undertake. You can contact us using any of the methods below:
Email: archives@childrenssociety.org.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7232 2966
Post: Records and Archives Centre, The Children's Society, Edward Rudolf House, Margery Street, London, WC1X 0JL
Some records within this collection are closed and not available for research. For further information, please contact the archivist at the Records and Archives Centre, using the contact details above. |
| Administrative History | The Children's Society was founded in 1881 by Edward De Mountjoie Rudolf, a young Sunday school teacher and civil servant. Two of his Sunday School pupils were found begging on the streets after their father had died. Their plight highlighted the fact that there were no Church of England Homes capable of taking children at short notice and without payment.
Rudolf gained support from within the Church of England (including the Archbishop of Canterbury), and the Church of England Central Home for Waifs and Strays was founded in 1881. The original intention was to provide Receiving Homes for boys and girls in each diocese, prior to finding them suitable permanent homes. The Society intended to board out (foster) the children "under guarantees for their proper maintenance and education in the principles of the Church of England." However, this quickly evolved into providing longer term residential children's homes and in November 1883 a new name was adopted: the Church of England Central Society for Providing Homes for Waifs and Strays. In 1893, the organisation changed its name again to become the Church of England Incorporated Society for Providing Homes for Waifs and Strays. As its official title was long, the organisation was commonly known as the Waifs and Strays Society.
By 1919, with support from parishes and individuals across the country, the Waifs and Strays Society had set up 113 caring children's homes throughout England and Wales.
This work continued and evolved over the next few decades. In 1946, the organisation underwent another change of name; this time to become The Church of England Children's Society (commonly known as The Children's Society). In 1982, while its legal title remained the same, the name The Children's Society was formally adopted by the organisation.
By the last quarter of the twentieth century social attitudes had changed considerably from those which were prevalent when Edward Rudolf set up the organisation: abortion and lone parenting were viewed differently and contraception was more readily available; and fewer children were entering children's homes or being placed for adoption by voluntary agencies, as local social services departments had increased their activity in this area. As a result, The Children's Society made major changes to the way it worked: it closed many children's homes, moving away from adoption and fostering and instead focusing on helping young people solve their own problems.
In 1969 The Children's Society opened its first day-care centre, Foulkes House in south London. This centre offered support for single-parent families and those affected by illness, stress or severe poverty. The centre was successful and The Children's Society opened more across the country, often on the sites of its former residential nurseries.
Gradually, more and more purpose-built family centres were opened, often in partnership with local social services departments. In addition, during these years The Children's Society opened toy libraries and soft play areas and set up information services offering help with welfare rights. Adult education was offered, as were regular, organised day trips.
During the 1990s The Children's Society moved into a new era of working for social justice. Understanding the issues faced by young people enabled The Children's Society to respond to the needs of children and young people more effectively through: new projects; lobbying to change legislation and welfare provision; and allowing young people to speak and act for themselves so they could shape their own lives.
The Children's Society continues its work to the present day. As of 2015, The Children's Society's vision is a country where children are free from disadvantage; and its mission is to fight for change, supporting disadvantaged children to have better lives. |