Our history: Then and now
Edward Rudolf saw something in society that needed to change – and he refused to stay silent. He founded The Children’s Society with anger and hope in his heart. Over 140 years later, that same fighting spirit still drives our work. The challenges facing young people today are profound. Some wait years for mental health support, and thousands are left without the help they need. Our work won’t stop until every teen has a hopeful tomorrow. In our Then and now video, young presenter Max joins descendants of Edward Rudolf to reflect on his legacy, while our CEO shares what that fight looks like for young people today – and what we’re doing about it.
One man’s mission to change children’s lives
One man’s mission to change children’s lives
Our story begins in 1881 with Edward Rudolf, a young Sunday school teacher and civil servant in South London who was deeply troubled by the poverty he saw affecting children in his community.
When two boys from his class stopped attending, Rudolf went to find them and discovered they were begging on the streets for food. Their father had died, leaving their mother to care for seven children under the age of 11 alone.
Founding what would become The Church of England Children’s Society.
Realising this was far from an isolated case, Rudolf saw just how many children were living in desperate circumstances. Determined to make a difference, he dedicated his life to helping those most in need — founding what would become The Church of England Children’s Society.
He saw something in his own community that he didn’t think was fair or right.
James Rudolf (Edward Rudolf’s great-great-grandson)
Through the ages
Edward Rudolf believed workhouses were no place for children to grow up. He was determined that those living in poverty should instead experience the security and love of a family home.
With support from the Church of England — including the Archbishop of Canterbury — he established small children’s homes, each caring for around 10 children aged five to 14, led by a master and matron who acted as parental figures. This bold vision laid the foundations for everything we stand for today.
As the need for care grew, we expanded our support. Between the 1920s and 1950s, 34 permanent residential nurseries were opened across the country. Then in 1969, we launched our first day-care centre, Foulkes House in South London, providing vital help to single-parent families and those facing illness, stress or severe poverty. Its success led to many more centres opening nationwide.
The 1980s were a period of major expansion
The 1980s were a period of major expansion. To mark 100 years of improving children’s lives, we opened 12 new family centres, along with toy libraries, soft play areas and information services to support families with welfare rights.
In the 1990s, we built on what we had learned and began to focus more strongly on social justice. We became more responsive to the challenges facing young people and started campaigning for changes to laws on issues such as healthcare, housing, social security, education and social work. We also worked to empower young people, giving them a stronger voice and opportunities to speak and act for themselves.
In 1992, we called for child prostitution to be recognised as an issue of child protection, not criminality.
After years of sustained campaigning, new government guidance in 2000 advised police to treat affected children as victims of abuse rather than offenders.
Today, still fighting
Our vision is the future we are working to create — and we will not stop until it becomes reality.
We want a society designed for every child to thrive. Over the coming decade, we are committed to ensuring this generation experiences a better childhood.
By 2030, our goal is to reverse the damaging decline in children’s wellbeing and set the foundations for lasting progress. We hope you will join us on this journey.
He had the hope to believe and he had the power to affect change.
Mark Russell OBE, CEO of The Children’s Society
