Centre Of Excellence In Alternative Care

In India, the Centre of Excellence in Alternative Care is actively involved in the expanding field of alternative care. This encompasses a range of options such as family preservation, sponsorship, kinship care, adoption, foster care, aftercare, and institutionalization for children. Together, these elements form what is known as the continuum of care.

This continuum is organised in order of preference, with the alternatives presented at the top considered the least disruptive and most supportive for both the child and their family. It is crucial to prioritize these options before considering those lower down the continuum. The choice of the most suitable form of support or care is always determined based on the child's best interests, taking into account the specific circumstances of each case.

The Centre of Excellence in Alternative Care recognizes the pressing issue of inadequate data in the child protection field in India. Understanding the full scope of children and families in need of alternative care services requires comprehensive data collection. A joint report titled "All Children Count but Not All Children Are Counted" by global child protection leaders highlights the need for increased resources and efforts in gathering data on vulnerable children. The report emphasizes the importance of including children living outside of households or without parental care in disaggregated data, as these children face significant risks and disadvantages. The Centre actively contributes to improving data accuracy by conducting district-level mapping of the child protection situation, with ongoing efforts to provide valuable insights to inform targeted interventions and support.

The Centre of Excellence in Alternative Care in India focuses on advocating for alternative care solutions for vulnerable children who are separated from their parents due to various reasons. Despite legislative efforts, there's a lack of awareness and resources for alternative care. The Centre promotes both formal and informal care options, emphasizing the importance of family-based care. Its mission includes family preservation, kinship care, sponsorship, foster care, and adoption, aiming to mitigate the negative impact of institutional care on children's well-being.