Brief notes of SWHN seminar held at Westminster Building, Chester University 12.30 – 3.30 25th
March 2010
Present: 20 members
Business News:
Mike Burt (MB) introduced the SWHN website which gives an outline of SWHN activities, notices of
future events, key contacts and links to other key websites. There is also a section for SWHN papers
and publications. University of Chester has kindly agreed to monitor the website. The address is:
http://swhn.chester.ac.uk
MB announced that the University of Chester now has a museum and a room has been dedicated to
the history of social work. MB would welcome thoughts as to how to represent the history of social
work: m.burt@chester.ac.uk
Jacqui Moore announced that the visit to the York Retreat will now take place on 8th June and not 9th
June as previously stated. The event will start at 12 noon and finish around 3pm. The programme is
likely to include a talk, film and guided tour. A light lunch will be provided. If you wish to attend
please email Joan Rapaport on her private email: jwmrap@ntlworld.com or leave a brief message on
her mobile 07941 775548. Please also state if you have any dietary requirements e.g. vegetarian or
food allergies.
Grateful thanks
On behalf of SWHN, KB thanked MB and colleagues at University of Chester for developing
the website and hosting the inaugural meeting.
Brief summary of presentations
Jim Richards (JR): lately Director of the Catholic Children’s Society (Westminster Diocese).
Source: Hyland, J. (2009) Changing Times Changing Needs: A History of the Catholic Children’s
Society (Westminster). Westminster, Catholic Children’s Society. Cost £10.
Drawing from the above publication, JR homed in on two areas of the Society’s history: child
migration and the Curtis Committee.
Child migration to Canada started in 1870 and continued until 1957, although the Catholic Children’s
Society stopped this activity in 1934. The decision to send children in the care of voluntary
institutions was driven largely by financial imperatives but also the notion of ‘new land – fresh start’.
Girls tended to go into service and boys into farming. Experiences were tough and many were to
return. Other voluntary organisations sent children to Australia from 1938. Following the Curtis
Report, standards comparable to those of the UK were called for. A cursory investigation by a Home
Office official in 1953 (Moss Report) was uncritical of conditions in Australia. However, the Ross
Report of 1956 was hard hitting. The society stopped sending children to Australia in 1956 and
Banardos in 1967.
The society’s role in the Curtis Committee Report on the Care of Children 1946 arose largely because
Dennis O’Neil and his brother were RC. The local authority in Wales had approached a parish priest
in Newport to ask if he could help find RC foster care for the two boys. The priest was unable to help.
This association with the case and tragedy that ensued caused deep concern in RC circles, as
illustrated in correspondence between the Archbishops of Cardiff and Westminster, who wanted to
ensure changes were made and with this aim, to be members of the Curtis Committee. JR provided
some interesting insights into the committee’s dynamics and the personalities involved. The issue of
whether a child should be placed with foster parents of his or religious persuasion was highly
controversial. In the end, Curtis decided on ‘may’ rather than ‘must’. There was also critical concern
as to whether the children’s service should be run by Education (as then) or the Home Office.
Discussion points:

How migrants were equipped and clothed for the conditions of the receiving countries.

The role of the society in respect of adoptions and fostering.

Faith issues and same sex adopters.

Prejudices of adopters against certain physical characteristics e.g. ginger hair!
Alan Lewis: CEO Liverpool Charitable Voluntary Society (LCVS); the role of LCVS and the Liverpool
Personal Social Services Society (LPSS)
AL explained that the histories of the LCVS and LPSS were deeply intertwined. The ethos of both
organisations, enabling people to help themselves, is broadly synonymous with that of social work.
The origins of LCVS and LPSS lie in a number of charitable initiatives to address the hardships faced
by the poor and destitute in nineteenth century Liverpool.
In 1905 the Royal Commission on the Poor Law argued for the coordination of charitable bodies. In
1911 the Liverpool Council for Voluntary Aid was formed. This comprised a number of charitable
networks including medical, homes for the aged, homes for the poor, children’s institutions and
social improvement and education. Voluntary effort focused directly on social problems. The Council
introduced an accounting system for charities that was later adopted elsewhere.
The two world wars brought huge social and economic dislocation. The LCVS was formed providing
grants for social action projects. Another offshoot, the LPSS focused on individual and family
casework and new ways of working. In its early days it was largely involved in curbing the scourge of
money-lending. Age Concern, Relate, CAB and the housing association movement have their roots in
the LPSS. The organisation also pioneered social work attachments to GP surgeries, young persons’
advisory services and a boarding out scheme for adults.
LPSS now has a huge turnover and hosts student SW placements. AL said it had evolved according to
social need and that it continued to do so.