Travancore (Special School 1933-1938; Developmental Centre 1938-1968; Psychiatric Development Centre 1968-1982; Child and Family Centre 1982-ct)

Full description

Establishment and Development

Travancore was established in February 1933 as a centre to provide residential care and educational facilities for mentally retarded children.

From its inception until 1938 the institution was designated a Special School (ss.no.4465) with the teaching staff being provided by the Education Department (VA 714).

In 1937, with the addition of a clinic providing research and services for mentally retarded children, the institution was renamed Travancore Developmental Centre.

In 1968 Travancore ceased to function as a centre for intellectually disabled children and became a residential centre for emotionally disturbed children. In line with the changeover to the care of emotionally disturbed children the institution became known as Travancore Psychiatric Developmental Centre. The clinic and special school facilities continued to operate, now providing services for emotionally disturbed children, and in the case of the clinic, also providing psychiatric out-patient services for children.

Children in residence included the psychotic, neurotic, autistic and the situationally disturbed with policy being based on short-term placement with intensive treatment.

By 1970 the institution was known as the Travancore Centre and functioned as an informal psychiatric hospital for children, with educational facilities provided by the Education Department.

In October 1982 the institution became the Travancore Child and Family Centre with the addition of a new family admission unit for the reception of emotionally disturbed children and their parents. Separate children's and adolescent's in-patient facilities are also provided. The institution continues to provide out-patient facilities for daily attending patients as well as a separate regional out-patient programme providing early intervention and education services to the community.

In October 1987 the Travancore Child and Family Centre was proclaimed a psychiatric hospital under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1986 (No.59). However the Centre has not accepted involuntary admissions to date and in this sense has continued to function as an informal psychiatric hospital. It is possible that its designation as a psychiatric hospital will be revoked in the future.

The educational facility provided at the Centre is still termed a special school, and continues to be administered by Ministry of Education (VA 1112) personnel. The exact nature of the relationship between the Ministry of Education and the Health Department (II) (VA 2695) in regard to the control of the school facility is unclear.

Legislation

Mental Health Act 1986 (No.59).

Location of Records

Some records are held. See below.