History

The war marked a turning point in Barnardo's development and the history of childcare in the UK. Evacuation brought 'charity children' and 'ordinary' middle and upper class families into contact with each other and they gained a greater understanding of their circumstances. The disruption of war also improved understanding of the impact of family break ups and effects on children brought up away from home.

Then in 1946, a national report (The Curtis Report) on children 'deprived of a normal home life' was published, prompting a revolution in childcare. For the first time, children were acknowledged as the nation's responsibility. This report paved the way for the Children's Act of 1948, which placed the duty of caring for homeless children and those in need on local authorities.

So, during the 1940's and 1950's Barnardo's began working more closely with families. The charity awarded grants to families in difficulties because the breadwinner was unable to work due to illness or an accident. In the mid 1950's it developed a scheme to house whole families affected by ill health, housing problems, unemployment and crime. By the end of the decade almost a quarter of the charity's work involved helping children to stay with their own families.

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