History

1960 – The Children Act 1960 very specifically stated that every children’s home to which a neglected child is sent under this Act, shall not only provide accommodation, maintenance and facilities for education, but, also provide him with facilities for the development of his character and abilities and give him necessary training for his reformation. It shall also perform such other functions as may be prescribed to ensure all round growth and development of his personality.

1964 – The Central Social Welfare Board introduced foster care in the Third Five-Year Plan as part of its “Child and Family Welfare Plans,” with a vision to place children near to their home and three NGOs in Mumbai and Chennai initially piloted this project. However, lack of space in family homes, economic barriers and socio-cultural differences made implementation difficult.

1972 – The first non-institutional scheme for children was introduced in Maharashtra. The Family Service Centre NGO initiated a foster-care scheme, which was later taken over by the State Government, now known as the Bal Sangopan Yojana. It works to support many families in Mumbai who are HIV affected.

1974 – A ‘Scheme for Children in Need of Care and Protection’ was launched by the Ministry of Social Welfare which included a foster-care scheme, aimed at very young children who became destitute. The ministry worked with UNICEF to review and revise the existing foster-care scheme and some NGOs were provided with administrative support for three years. However, the lack of grant aid funds to NGOs impacted on the success of this scheme.

1994-2000 – States like Gujarat, New Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Mumbai initiated implementation of the Ministry of Social Welfare Scheme of Foster Care in different forms. Alternative models were also developed including ‘group foster care’, commonly involving 10-15 children living with a‘live-in’house mother with additional staff support.

1995 – The Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA) framed guidelines in 1995 relating to licensing of agencies engaged in adoption placements, with eligibility applicable only to those who had institutional facilities. However, when agencies providing pre-adoption foster family care tabled their views before Government, they approved Foster Family Care as an alternative to Institutional Care for Children Awaiting Adoption (1998), aimed at children under 6 years of age.

2000 – The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act introduced a chapter on rehabilitation and social integration for the child through adoption, foster care and sponsorship and provided for temporary foster care for children awaiting adoption, and for short and long-term placement in foster care.

2009 – The Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) launched by the Central Government introduced expectations in relation to State developments with regard to family based care, supported by allocation of budgetary support for child care and protection in every district. The ICPS Scheme was revised in 2014 with enhanced financial norms and provisions of flexibility to secure effective implementation of programmes and services for protection of children. Some states were proactive in developing rules, for example, Palanhar Yogna of the Rajasthan state government is a scheme for orphan, destitute and neglected children to support care, protection and education. Parvarish– the foster care scheme of the Bihar Government has taken off very well in the state for orphans and children of widows, and handicapped children of selected categories of economically weaker sections of society. Vatsalya a family-based non- institutional child care programme of Goa Government.

2015 – The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015 included formal foster care under Section 44

2016 – The Nation Plan of Action for children, reinforced as a priority the need to ensure rights of all children temporarily/ permanently deprived of parental care are secured by ensuring family and community-based arrangements, including adoption, sponsorship and foster care.

2016 – The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules for implementation and administration of the provisions of the JJ Act in its true spirit and substance.

2016 – Model Guidelines for Foster Care provide additional guidance for foster care by Ministry of Women and Child Development.