State Child Protection Society, West Bengal

• To enable such young adults to adapt themselves to society
• To encourage them to move away from institution based life.

Children going to complete 18 years of age in the Children’s/Special Home, without any family fit to take care of them and who is willing to undertake the training in After Care will be considered for After Care programme.

Duration of Aftercare

After care services may be available to young adults up to a period of 3 years or until he/she has reached the age of 21 years, whichever is earlier.

Financial norms

Financial assistance per month per young adult will be provided as per ICPS norms applicable at that time for meeting the basic needs including food, clothing, health care and shelter; age appropriate and need based education and vocational training and any other requirements

The DCPU shall form a committee comprising of the DSWO (Chairman) DCPO (Member- Convener), PO-IC and PO-NIC, and a member of the CWC, which will identify suitable Government and voluntary organizations to run the After Care programme. The list of identified organizations will be placed before the Chairman DCPU for approval through the Secretary DCPU. This list will thereafter be made available to the CWC/JJB.

After Care Approval Committee isto be formed in every district to implement and monitor the After Care programme and would consist of the following members:

• District Magistrate and Chairperson, DCPU---Chairman
• DCPO---Member Convener
• Chairperson or/his or representative of CWC---Member
• Chairperson/his or representative of JJB---Member
• PO(IC)---Member
• PO(NIC)—Member
• Superintendent or his/her Representative of the concerned CCI (where the young adult is staying at the time of approval)---Member
• One technical expert in the field of vocational training, preferably from a government department/undertaking, to be nominated by Chairman, DCPU

Criteria for selection of Aftercare Organization

The organization should be preferably run by the State Government but may also be run by reputed NGOs

• The Organization should be registered under the JJ Act.
• Five years of experience in management of a Home
• Minimum three years of experience in assisting children with vocational training
• Minimum three years of experience in placement of children in jobs, apprenticeships etc.
• A well-establishedcounsellingprogramme

Identification and recommendation for After Care by Child Care Institution (CCI):

i) Preparation of young adult by CCI

ii) Release of Young Adults who are unwilling to join After Care

iii) Scrutiny of Documents by DCPU and Finalisation for After Care Placement

iv)Placement order by CWC/JJB

V)Placement of young adult

i)Release of Grant

ii)Preparation of Care Plan for the Child by the After Care Organization

MONITORING ANDREVIEW:

i) Tracking progress of child

ii) Monitoring of After Care Organization

iii) Records to be maintained by DCPU

Termination of Aftercare

Aftercare services will be terminated:

• If the young adult has found suitable employment and a place to live before attaining 21 years of age.
• When the young adult has completed 21 years of age, regardless of whether he/she has got employment or not.
• In case it is found by functionaries of the After Care organisation or DCPU that the young adult despite receiving counseling/assistance is
  • Displaying lack of interest in vocational training/education etc.
  • Regularly breaking discipline
  • Picking fights with other residents, neighbors’, staff etc.
  • Spoiling the atmosphere of the Home by his/her behaviour
• Becoming a negative influence on other residents due to his/her habits such as drinking, drug abuse etc.
• In case girl/boy gets married
• If the young adult is absent for more than 15 days without permission

• The After Care Organisation shall essentially provide for every child:
• Shelter facility, for a maximum period of 3 years as per institutional model
• Professional emotional and psychological counselling on a weekly basis
• Health care through tie ups with nearby medical centres/doctors
• Vocational training facilities through tie ups with educational institutions through CSR (training and absorption) teaching certified skill development courses.
• Assistance in opening bank accounts and for getting identification such as “Aadhar” number, ration cards, voting cards, etc.
• If the child is interested in education, in addition to the vocational training, he/she may be encouraged /assisted to pursue the NIOS programme.
• Training, apprenticeships and placement in collaboration with professional agencies and Corporates.
• Arranging loans for entrepreneurial activities along with professional advice and training
• Peer counselling
• Legal services that may be required by the child through DCPU or linkages with other organisations.
• Computers, recreational material and other facilities at the place of stay.
• Specialized counseling services in polyclinics may be provided to those children who have disciplinary issues, problems of substance abuse, frequent absenteeism etc. so that they can be mainstreamed into society.

Option I: The DCPU will identify an existing Children’s Home which is run by the Government / NGO, where a portion will be earmarked for After Care having separate building with other facilities to avoid interaction with the children in Children’s Home.

Option II: Dedicated institutions for After Care with maximum capacity of 100 children can be considered in case it is available in strategic locations as decided by the DCD &DWD&SW, Government of West Bengal

Facilities to be provided by Aftercare organizations

• Counselling
• Savings
• Vocational Training
• Linkages with Corporates and Civil Society Groups
• Identity
• Health
• Volunteers
• Life skills programme
• Monitoring & Follow Up