In 1930, following the abolition of the Halifax Poor Law Union, the Halifax Borough Council took over responsibility for the administration of poor relief in the town. It is not clear whether it inherited any children's accommodation from the union, but by 1933 the council had a home for 36 children at Westfield House, King Cross Street, Halifax.

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.

By 1949, the Westfield children's home had been joined by the Willowfield Nursery on Burnley Road, Halifax, which provided 30 places for the under-fives. A year later, Lyndhurst, a home for 24 children was in operation at 72 Victoria Road, Elland.

Lyndhurst, 72 Victoria Road, Halifax, 2014. © Peter Higginbotham

By 1957, family group homes had been opened at 91 Cousin Lane, Ovenden, and 57 Alloe Field View, Illingworth, each providing 10 places. In 1959, another home, again with 10 places, was in use at 182 Mixenden Road, Mixenden.

In around 1960, a second residential nursery was opened at West Garth (or Westgarth), 79 Victoria Road, Elland, with 12 places. The Willowfield nursery closed shortly afterwards.

West Garth, 79 Victoria Road, Elland, Halifax, 2014. © Peter Higginbotham

In 1971, local authority children's departments were absorbed into their new social services departments. At around that time, an additional home was opened at 45-46 West Bank, Illingworth.

Following the local government reorganisation that took place in 1974, responsibility for local government in Halifax passed to Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, with its headquarters in Halifax. All the existing children's homes continued in operation under the new administration.