In 1930, following the abolition of the Dewsbury Poor Law Union, the Dewsbury Borough Council took over responsibility for the administration of poor relief in the town. Although the children's cottage homes at Healds Road, Staincliffe, were taken over by the West Riding County Council, children from Dewsbury continued to be received there under under an arrangement between the County Council and Dewsbury Council's new Public Assistance Committee. The six homes each accommodated twelve children.

Following the passing of the 1948 Children Act, councils were required to provide care services for all needy children in their area, especially those who lacked a normal family home. In common with other local authorities, the council established a new Children's Committee, whose responsibilities had previously been spread across separate Health, Education and Social Welfare Committees. Under the new regime, residential care was seen as the least desirable option for children in care, but when it was employed, the recommended size of home was eight children, or twelve at most.

The arrangement with the County Council appears to have continued. By 1956, Dewsbury had opened a home of its own at Ash Tree (or Ashtree) House, Orchard Street, Savile Town, where twelve children could be accommodated.

By 1968, two family group homes were in operation at 56 The Crescent, Ravensthorpe, and 18 Moorcroft Drive, Dewsbury Moor, each housing nine children.

In 1971, local authority children's departments were absorbed into their new social services departments. Following the local government reorganisation that took place in 1974, responsibility for local government in Dewsbury passed to Kirklees Metropolitan District Council, with its headquarters in Huddersfield.