| Brief History | Group Homes could be developed relatively inexpensively, so they were able to be located within country towns close to the child’s home of origin, which was seen to be particularly advantageous. “The involvement and access to parents by these placements is often a major step in the rehabilitation of a family group.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, June 30th 1979). For notes on a general history of these facilities, see the section on Group Homes at the beginning of Signposts.
“A welcome addition to the Department’s resources was the acquisition of a Group Home in Northam for the emergency and short-term care of young children…It is hoped this facility will enable local children to remain in the area pending the outcome of various arrangements for their future care and welfare.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, June 30th 1980).
“The Northam Group Home became active during October 1980 and has since proven extremely valuable to Central Division. This home has a capacity of eight beds, including two emergency placements. The population has seldom been less than six and the children have all responded well to their programme.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, June 30th 1981).
By 1982, it was reported that this new Group Home had already proved its worth and had “added considerably to the effectiveness and flexibility of the Department in relation to the care of children” in the Southern Country region.” “The group Home has been occupied to its full capacity most of the time…[and] it is now possible to place children within the region with which they are familiar, resulting in a decline of referrals to Bridgewater [see entry] and other institutions. Children with a substantial history of offending and acting-out delinquent behaviour have however continued to be referred to more appropriate departmental facilities. Where children are placed in the Group Home, it is possible for divisional staff to become more involved in assessment, planning and case conferences. This situation would appear to allow a more thorough assessment to be made.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, June 30th 1982).
“Since opening in October, 1980, this Group Home has had 76 admissions:
48 Teenagers
20 Primary Schoolers
5 Pre-schoolers
3 Babies or toddlers
There have been 26 admissions over the past 12 months. Population average has been over six. Despite the relatively high number of admissions, this Group Home has a nucleus of about five children that are relatively long term. These children are mostly in the early teenage, lower high school bracket. They are usually not highly delinquent but have family, educational and social problems and until coming to the Group Home [were] prone to delinquency. The Group Home team charts an individual programme for each child, and strives to provide substitute family care with the accent on stability and security. Every effort is made for these children to understand their past and present situation and to prepare them for independent living.” (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, June 30th 1983).
Two more bedrooms were added to the Northam Group Home in 1984, resulting in a “greatly improved physical aspect of the premises”. (Annual Report of the Department for Community Welfare, June 30th 1984).
At time of reporting in 1984, 5 children were resident.
In 2002, the facility was dormant due to inability to staff it. |