History of Foster Care in England and Wales 1946-1989
The Curtis Report 1946
Fostering/boarding out
Beyond 1948

This website is concerned solely with the history of state intervention through the medium of the Care Order in the post-war period until 1989. For problems regarding abuse or neglect in the present day, contact your local social services or a nationally recognised child abuse organisation.

As someone who grew up under a care order in the 1980s and experienced firsthand the states role as my legal guardian, I am keen to hear how other people fared in their part of the world. Please feel free to contact me should you wish to contribute your experiences to this website. As far as I am aware there has only been a recent interest in those who grew up in care, there are certainly no Friends Reunited for people in the various childrens homes around the country (although Barnados do have reunions).  In fact the only home that I can find on the internet is Hollies, which from the way it sounds, was very different from where I was, (it had a swimming pool for a start!) As time progresses I will be adding to this site, both from research into the history of the Care Order and from my own particular experiences of life in care. 

Hollies Children's Home, South London
a_the_hollies_office.jpg
former residents have created a designated website to stay in touch. A rarity.