In January 1956, Kildonan was declared an approved children’s home under the Children’s Welfare Act 1954 (under the full name ‘Presbyterian and Scots’ Church Children’s Aid Society [Kildonan Home]).

This action followed the 1954 Children’s Welfare Act which legislated that all non-government homes must be registered with the Children’s Welfare Department as ‘approved’ children’s homes and subject to inspection of both the homes and those who lived there.