My Ancester, was Kate Cummings, and she is listed in the workhouse of Devizes, Wiltshire in the 1881 census, along with her sister MArtha Cummings (age 6) and brother William Cummings (age 22.)

William is listed as "idiot from birth" (which was previously unmentioned in the other censuses.) Are there any records available which might suggest why these children (Kate and Martha) were submitted to the workhouse, while their other siblings were able to stay with their mother, their father being deceased?

any help would be greatly appreciated!