In 1938

[~Vulpine~]

Who was responsible for orphaned children/children needing fostering or adopting in 1938? Social Services???

[dot.hawkes]

There isn't a definitive answer to that question I don't believe. It would depend on the location and religion of the child and the circumstances surrounding the need for fostering and adoption. Adoption became legal in 1928, by saying that it does not mean that it was illegal before then, just that there was no legislation that seemed to be in place to monitor the process.
Fostering seemed to be informal, overseers of the poor had farmed out poor law orphans and abandoned children in the early 19th century as servants, often indentured too, but into the 20th century, with the Ministry of health being established and childrens homes like Bernardo's growing across the country, legislation was needed.

Saying that, informal fostering probably continued in the nuclear family as would have informal adoption of illegitimately born children in a family.

[dot.hawkes]

It is not something that one could know about craig, crop rotation does not require an implement of execution just a farmer with good sense and good memory lol

[dot.hawkes]

sorry i posted that ^ on the wrong thread lol

[ruby27]

Like dot. says there isn't one single answer
During the 1930's there were Local Authorities who had duties to children, but there was not a Social Services Dept as we know it now. Most of the welfare services were provided by charitable organisations such as Dr Barnado's Muller and other religious organisations. The Catholic society remains as lead organisation in terms of Adoption. Children were not always orphans who were cared for by charities, many of the children sent to Australia were not orphans, just told so.