In 1978 The Salvation Army Women's Social Services (WSW) and Men's Social Services (MSW) were amalgamated under the leadership of Colonel Anna Hannevik to form the Social Services in Great Britain and Ireland (SS). The Social Services headquarters were initially at 280 Mare Street, London (the former Women's Social Services headquarters), moving to 105-109 Judd Street, London, in 1987. As part of the reorganisation of the International Headquarters' administrative structure in 1991, the Social Services were incorporated into the administrative structure of the newly created UK Territory but continued to have their own separate site at 105-109 Judd Street until 1999 when they relocated to the new site of the UK Territorial Headquarters at 101 Newington Causeway, London.
The Social Services have had responsibility for a range of functions since 1978. Headquarters has had oversight of diverse work in homes, hostels and centres throughout the United Kingdom including children's (or community) homes, approved schools, eventide homes/centres for older people, family services centres, rehabilitation/alcoholism services centres, hostels/centres for men, women, boys, girls and mothers with children, a maternity hospital (The Mothers' Hospital), mother and baby homes, probation homes and bail units, a students' residence (Concord House, London), centres for people with mental illnesses, disabilities or learning difficulties, prison chaplaincy services, day nurseries, holiday accommodation, training centres, refuges from domestic abuse, addiction services and sheltered housing. Social Services have also undertaken midnight patrols and other outreach work. Missing persons inquiries fell within the remit of Social Services until 2005, handled through the Investigation Department (1978-1991)/Family Tracing Service (1992-2005). Family Tracing has continued as a separate department since 2005.
