Children's Society Records and Archives Centre
- Advice on accessing these materials
- Web
- Telephone
- +44 (0)20 7232 2966
- Address
- Records and Archives Centre, The Children's Society, Edward Rudolf House, Margery Street, London WC1X 0JL, England, UK
- Opening Hours
- Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00 / Access by prior appointment only
- Access Information
- Because we have a limited number of staff, it will not be possible to visit The Children’s Society Records and Archives Centre without an appointment. It is preferred that requests to view records reflect bona fide interests or projects. Please contact us for further information.
- Photographs Allowed
- no
- Reproduction Services
- Some records can be digitised on request; this is dependent on the content and condition of the documents and is assessed on a case-by-case basis. There is a charge for this service of £5 per item digitised.
- Facilities for Disabled Persons
- Step-free access and accessible toilet facilities available.
- Archival and Other Holdings
We hold the records of The Children’s Society, detailing its work with children from its foundation in 1881 to the present day.
The Archive collections comprise: management and administration records; financial records; fundraising, public relations and supporter relation records; social work records, including documents created by the residential care homes and social work projects, and records relating to children and young people; property management records; and records relating to staff. This includes 30,000 case files for children admitted into The Children’s Society’s care between 1882 and September 1926.
- History
The Children’s Society was founded in 1881 by Edward Rudolf, who wanted to help the vulnerable children he saw around him in Victorian Britain. In its early history, The Children’s Society (then known as The Waifs and Strays Society) did this by running a network of children’s homes for poor and disadvantaged children. By the mid-1970s, the work of The Children’s Society had evolved away from children’s homes to focus on more innovative types of social work and child care.
Today, The Children’s Society wants to create a society where children and young people are valued, respected and happy. We are committed to helping vulnerable and disadvantaged young people, including children in care and young runaways. We give a voice to disabled children, help young refugees to rebuild their lives and provide relief for young carers. Through our campaigns and research, we seek to influence policy and perceptions so that young people have a better chance in life.
Children are at the heart of all we do. That’s why we want to build a better childhood - for every child.
