Course

Unit 1

History & Evolution of Care and Support Services – Global child rights movements and key instruments (Geneva Declaration, UNCRC, Optional Protocols). Pre & Post-Independence Initiatives in India. Evolution of care systems: from institutional care to family- and community-based care. Shift from welfare to rights-based approach; convergence with SDGs and international commitments.

Unit 2

Civil Society and Community-Based Innovations – Models and case studies: Prerana, Udayan Care, Enfold, SOS Villages.  Shelter home, disability-specific services, LGBTQ+ support for children, mental health initiatives,Participatory tools used by NGOs for child consultation and program design.

Unit 3

International and Regional Frameworks – SDGs and their child-specific indicators (esp. 1, 3, 4, 5, 16), Role of UNICEF, SAARC, SAIEVAC, ILO, WHO in care programming and policy, UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children (2009), Global initiatives on deinstitutionalization, foster care, and universal parenting support, Helpline innovations and digital platforms (Child Helpline International, U-Report), Transparency and ethical limits of AI in child help platforms

Unit 4

Minimum Standards and Quality in Care and Support – South Asian Protocol on Minimum Standards of Care, Frameworks for quality care: Rights-based service delivery, trauma-informed care, and safeguarding, Tools: SOPs, checklists, Individual Care Plan (ICP), Social and Home Investigation Reports,  Social audit, gender audit, and participatory monitoring, Emerging themes: Child participation in M&E, co-management, use of AI in service monitoring, ethical challenges in digital care systems.

Text Books / References

Textbooks:  

1. Bajpai, Asha (2018). Child Rights in India: Law, Policy and Practice. Oxford University Press.
2. Mishra, Lakshmidhar (2000). Child Labour in India. Oxford University Press.
3. Childline India Foundation (2023). Standard Operating Procedures and Handbook on Childline Se
4. UNICEF (2021). The State of the World’s Children: On My Mind – Promoting, Protecting and Caring for Children’s Mental Health.
5. Choudhary, Premanand (2008). Child Survival, Health and Social Work Intervention. ABD.

Suggested Readings:

1. Childline India Foundation (2023). Standard Operating Procedures and Handbook on Childline Services.
2. Ministry of Women and Child Development (2022). Mission Vatsalya Guidelines.
3. AIEVAC (2020). South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children: Regional Strategy on Alternative Care for Children.
4. Better Care Network & UNICEF (2022). Care Reform in India: Lessons and Reflections.
5. International Social Service (2020). Foster Care and Kinship Models in Asia.
6. UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (2021). General Comment No. 25 on Children’s Rights in the Digital Environment.
7. Save the Children (2021). Forgotten Voices: The Impact of COVID-19 on Child Protection.
8. -ni L. Kottakkal (2023). Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice with Children in Care, SAGE India.
9. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) (2022). Manual on Standards for Child Care Institutions.

This course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of care and support services provided to children at various levels international, national, regional, and community-based. It addresses both statutory and non-statutory systems and introduces emerging trends such as trauma-informed care, family-based alternatives, digital support services, and participatory frameworks. The course integrates current debates on quality of care, accountability mechanisms, and rights-based service delivery models.

Course Objectives:

1. Gain a comprehensive understanding of care and support services for children.
2. Analyze national and state-level schemes and innovations for child welfare and protection.
3. Understand the contributions of civil society and NGOs in service delivery and innovation.
4. Examine international and regional frameworks and commitments influencing India’s child care services.
5. Explore contemporary tools, protocols, and rights-based quality benchmarks in child care.

Course Outcomes:

1. Understand and analyze diverse models of care and support services across contexts.
2. Critically engage with policy, schemes, and frameworks influencing child well-being.
3. Develop awareness of rights-based and participatory approaches in child support systems.
4. Apply knowledge to assess, advocate for, or implement quality child care systems.
5. Demonstrate reflective awareness of AI tools used in care systems and their ethical implications.

CO-PO Mapping: (Course outcome and Program Outcome Mapping.