In 1930, following the abolition of the Hull and Sculcoates Poor Law Unions, the Hull Corporation took over responsibility for the administration of poor relief in the city. This included the children's cottage homes and scattered homes previously run by the two unions, which now came under the management of the council's new Public Assistance Committee.

The homes initially operated by the council are listed below.

Cottage Homes, Hessle High Road. © Peter Higginbotham

In 1939, only the scattered homes as 11 Cholmley Street and 23 Linnaeus Street were still in operation, but had been supplemented by two 14-bed homes at 12 and 14 Harley Street. The receiving home at 16-18 Linnaeus Street had also closed.

By 1947, the only scattered home that remained open was at 23 Linnaeus Street.

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.

In addition to the existing children's homes, the new Children's Department had responsibility for a residential nursery on Margaret Street, a Remand Home on Marfleet Lane, and the Castle Howard Approved School.

By 1954, new family group homes had been opened at 1 Wellesley Avenue, 71 Marlborough Avenue, and 23 Ash Grove. A receiving home had also been established at Harley Street. The Margaret Street nursery was replaced in around 1958 by new provision at 2068 Hessle High Road.

The council's children's accommodation in 1959 comprised:

In the 1960s, further family group homes were opened at 2 Elgar Road (8 places), 1123 Hessle High High Road (10), 2A Hammersmith Close, Ings Road Estate (10), and 66 Selworthy Close, Bransholme Estate (10). In 1972, a new assessment and observation centre was opened on East Carr Road, with accommodation for up to 24 children.