Carinya Youth Hostel (1965–c.2018)

Carinya Youth Hostel history in brief

In 1965, the Salvation Army established Carinya Youth Hostel in Camberwell to provide accommodation for girls in a cottage home environment.

In 1975 it moved to Footscray, and later moved again to Kealba. In 1980, The Salvation Army (TSA) and the Department of Community Welfare Services established residential units in the Western Region in two stages over 1980–82.

(Note: Find and Connect website says that the Carinya Youth Hostel was brought under the auspice of The Salvation Army Westcare in February 1981. The Salvation Army’s Westcare website says that the Carinya Youth Hostel became part of The Salvation Army Western Region Youth and Child Care circa 1985.)

In 1982, 'Cornwall Cottage' Family Group Home opened in Sunshine, followed the following year by Rivendell Adolescent Unit and in the next two years, Beech Court Adolescent Unit.

In January 1982, these services were incorporated as Western Region Family Service. In 1990, the auspice’s name formally changed to 'Westcare'.

In 1995, Westcare became part of the Salvation Army Crossroads.

In 2018, the department confirmed that it would no longer fund the Salvation Army Westcare to provide residential care. These services were tendered and Anglicare Victoria was selected as the new provider for residential care units formerly run by Westcare.

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 Families, Fairness and Housing 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, visit the Find & Connect website.

Sources

• Guide to Out of Home Care Services 1940 – 2000 Volume One Agency Descriptions, Compiled by James Jenkinson Consulting North Melbourne, November 2001.
• Find & Connect website record for The Salvation Army Westcare

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.

Departmental administration

Staffing Priorities Committee Homes and Hostels Files (1976–83)

File; Temporary

Content: Files documenting the recommendations for staffing positions for homes and hostels; correspondence between the Minister of Community Welfare Services and senior officers; funding information. The Staffing Priorities Committee made recommendations to the minister regarding priority of 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, 1978–1980.

The specific file relating to Carinya Hostel dates 1977–78.

Note that this collection has had all permanent material removed and placed below.

Staffing Priorities Committee, Homes and Hostels, Correspondence, Guidelines for Operation and Minutes of Meetings (1976–80)

File; Unappraised

Content: Files comprising: ministerial correspondence, Staffing Priority Committee minutes and list of members.