Vaughan House (GA2377)

In 1947, the Salvation Army closed the Barton Vale Girls Reformatory at Harewood Avenue, Enfield, and the government purchased for use as a girl's reformatory, renaming it Vaughan House.

In its first year the institution was home to thirteen girls, ranging in age from 14 to 20 years. The majority of girls were Protestant, with most Catholic state wards being placed at the Home of the Good Shepherd. By 1960 the number of girls placed at Vaughan House had increased to between forty and fifty. Building works in the 1960s increased its capacity to seventy-two girls in fifty single rooms and four small dormitories.

In 1970 a Probation Officer was appointed to the home to help in assessing girls approaching their release date. In 1970 initial assessment was also introduced. In 1972 low numbers led to the institution being remodelled to provide separate units for girls on remand and girls requiring secure accommodation. The units were:

- Assessment I for girls who had not been in secure residential care before
- Assessment II for girls who had been in secure residential care before
- Tasman Unit for girls who have been placed in the Centre as a result of a Court or Departmental decision
- Elizabeth Grace Community Unit, an open hostel for girls requiring support in developing skills to held them live in the community. In 1975 this hostel was transferred to a new location in North Adelaide.

In 1979 Vaughan House was renamed the South Australian Youth Remand and Assessment Centre [SAYRAC]. At the same time, Brookway Park was closed and the boys transferred to SAYRAC, which became a secure institution for girls and boys aged between ten and eighteen.

Sources:

Karen George. Finding your own way: A guide to records of children's homes in South Australia. 2005. Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc.

Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry: allegations of sexual abuse and death from criminal conduct. 2008.

Report of the Director-General of Community Welfare for the year ended 30th June 1976. SAPP 23/1977