Children’s homes managed by Red Cross

Since 1924, Red Cross has managed a number of respite care homes for children. Most of these closed before 1970 as they were no longer needed.

From time to time, we get enquiries about these homes. The majority of these are from people who want information about time they spent in a home as a child. This is to help them with their own life histories.

Occasionally we get a complaint about how someone was treated at one of the homes. We take every complaint seriously and will do everything we can to ensure people are heard and compensated where it’s right to do so. Red Cross is applying to join the National Redress Scheme to provide an alternative way in which a person who was mistreated at one of our homes can seek support.

To enquire about a home managed by Red Cross, please email privacy@redcross.org.au and we will refer your enquiry as needed.

Questions and answers

How do I get records about someone in a home managed by Red Cross?
You can email privacy@redcross.org.au. All requests will be managed by our archivist and treated as requests for access to personal information under the Privacy Act 1988. While we’ll do our best to help you, it’s important to understand that records for many of these institutions no longer exist.

Do you still run homes for children?
We don’t operate any specific ‘homes’ for children. Lady Lawley Cottage in WA provides short-term for children with disabilities and their families. We also provide our Young Parents Program in NSW with an out-of-home care residence for young parents and their children, funded by the NSW Government.  

What is your process for responding to claims of mistreatment at a Red Cross home?
Protecting children is critically important to us. If there is a complaint, first of all we listen and do everything we can to make sure people are heard and feel supported. Where there is evidence to support the complaint, we will sincerely apologise and agree on appropriate compensation.

Red Cross deals with complaints on a case-by-case basis even if we no longer have any records.

Red Cross is currently in the process of joining the National Redress Scheme, which will mean that there is likely to soon be an alternative way in which a complaint can be brought in regard to a person’s treatment at a Red Cross home. Where claims are brought through the Redress Scheme complainants would not have to deal with Red Cross directly unless they wanted to.

What is the National Redress Scheme?
The National Redress Scheme provides support to people who experienced child sexual abuse in Australian institutions. It was launched in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. People can apply to the scheme at nationalredress.gov.au or by calling 1800 737 377.

Is Red Cross part of the redress scheme?
Red Cross has committed to join the National Redress Scheme. We have been working closely with the Government over the past two months to undertake the necessary steps to join the Scheme. Institutions have until 30 June 2020 to apply to join the Scheme. 

When will Red Cross be officially a part of the National Redress Scheme?
The Government advises that on average, institutions take between three to six months to be officially declared as participating. While we cannot be certain, we are hoping to have joined the Scheme by 30 June 2020.

Why is Red Cross only just joining the National Redress Scheme?
Until now, Red Cross has had its own process for investigating and responding to complaints in a caring, compassionate and prompt way. However, we wanted to provide survivors of abuse with an alternative avenue through which they could seek redress and therefore decided to join the Scheme.  

What processes do you have in place to protect children now?
We’re committed to do everything we can to ensure children are safe and well. All our services undertake child protection risk assessments, our staff and volunteers are screened for working with children, we ensure all our people understand their responsibilities when working with children, and have sound and confidential mechanisms for reporting any child protection concerns to the relevant government authorities.

Why don’t you have better records from homes you managed?
With the passage of time, most organisations that managed homes for children in decades past have few or no remaining records. Red Cross has some remaining records for some homes it operated in New South Wales.

How do I find out what homes I might have been in?
Find & Connect is a resource for people who, as children, were in out-of-home care in Australia. It contains a listing of many homes that were historically operated by a number of organisations and institutions. You can access it at findandconnect.gov.au.

What else can I do?
Free and confidential Redress Support Services are available for anyone applying for, or considering applying for redress. These services are confidential and can help explain the Scheme and who can apply.

For more information on the National Redress Scheme, Redress Support Service, or to obtain the application form, please visit www.nationalredress.gov.au or call 1800 737 377.