The Children's Act, 1908

Today a chance encounter in the archive has brought up an interesting case. It stems from an admission to the Homes on the 12th May 1909 and involves a first for the charity and for the city of Manchester.

Lizzie after admission

Lizzie was 14 when she was admitted to the Manchester and Salford Boys’ and Girls’ Refuges and Homes. Both her parents were still alive but both had recently been sent to prison on account of theft from Lewis’ department store, the Father for 6 months and the Mother for 3. Although not directly involved in the theft, they were charged with receiving stolen goods and pawning them on. The thieves themselves were Lizzie and her younger sister Annie. 

In 1908, The Children’s Act made it legal for children to be removed from parents if they were being mistreated or neglected and placed into the responsibility of a ‘fit person’. As Lizzie’s parents had encouraged her to commit a crime, and were now facing a prison sentence, they were deemed to be putting the children at risk.

Excerpt from Lizzie's admission form

Therefore the City Police Court made Thomas Ackroyd and John Ashley named guardians of the girls on behalf of the Manchester and Salford Boys’ and Girls’ Refuge and Homes. It was the first time the Act had been utilised in this way in Manchester. Unfortunately, it was not to be the last.