| McCall Centre |
| Years of Operation | In operation in various forms since 1971 |
| Role Of Facility | The McCall Centre began with the aim of providing long-term residential treatment for children who had been admitted for behavioural and emotional problems of some severity.
In 1974, the McCall Centre’s role was described as being “part of the Department’s efforts at preventive work, the aim being to help children overcome their problems while they are still young, and thus not become a burden to the community later on.”
By 1980, the non-residential programmes offered by McCall were a significant part of the Centre’s work. One of these was a community kindergarten which provided pre-schooling, without an enhanced curriculum, for local children. The Centre was thus providing therapeutic, preventive, and non-therapeutic programmes at that stage. |
| Sponsoring Agency | Departmental - predessors to the current Department for Child Protection. |
| Address(es) | Mosman Park |
| Brief History | Opened on May 3rd, 1971 in temporary accommodation in West Perth to provide long-term residential treatment for up to 20 “emotionally disturbed” 6-12 year olds (by 1980, McCall Centre was taking children as young as 4 years). At its establishment, the Centre was awaiting redevelopment of the “old Cable Station” in Cottesloe. It was named after a former Director of the Child Welfare Department, Mr J.A. McCall. The program moved in March 1972 to Lincoln St, Highgate, then to permanent premises at 2 Curtin Ave, Mosman Park in July 1973.
The first child was admitted to McCall on August 2nd, 1971.
By 1980, the “McCall System” for 4-12 year olds comprised the McCall Centre Residential Unit, Community Support and a Kindergarten.
By 1986, the McCall Centre residential program could accommodate up to 10 children at any one time, for up to 12 weeks. Families often lived on the premises, which was seen to help parents develop skills to manage and relate to their child who was in the McCall program.
By 1987, in response to a review of its programmes and the “rationalisation of programmes being offered by McCall Centre and Koorana”, the Koorana facility was closed and McCall developed a “new community based preventive programme.”
In 1988, the Day Attendance Programme commenced to assist “primary school children with behavioural and emotional problems who are unable to be maintained in a regular school setting.” At the same time, the children’s caregivers were “helped to improve child management skills within the home and within the community.”
A more detailed chronology of major events, admissions and discharges is included in Table 26. |
| Records | It is possible that records for children with intellectual disabilities may reside with what is now the Department of Communities (former Disability Services Commission). |
| Access | While access to records is restricted to protect the privacy of individuals, people are encouraged to enquire. |
| Contact Details | Freedom of Information
Department of Communities
Locked Bag 5000, Fremantle WA 6959
Telephone: (08) 6414 3344
Country free call: 1800 176 888
Email: foi@communities.wa.gov.au
Website: www.communities.wa.gov.au |
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