“Udayan Ghars (Sunshines Homes)”: A Comprehensive Psycho-Social Program for Institutionalised Children in their Journey to Recovery

Abstract

This paper explores the needs of children who find themselves in institutional care. They often have histories of being abandoned and severely neglected, sexually or physically abused, sustaining several losses, witnessing and experiencing significant trauma, and therefore, lack basic social skills and the capacity for healthy attachment to others. These children need intensive efforts directed toward helping them address their attachment challenges, histories of trauma, basic social skill needs, and opportunities to receive a better education. Udayan Care has set up 15 Children's Homes and Aftercare facilities, in North India, that have over 200 children and young adults in the L.I.F.E. (Living In Family Environment) setting. This paper explores the various ways in which Udayan Care, basing its services on a bio-psycho-social perspective, utilises its team of Mentor Parents as lifetime volunteers, care staff, and Mental health professionals, who work to ensure the mental and physical well-being of the children placed in their care. Particular attention is paid to how the children function academically and to the development of age appropriate social skills. They work as a team, helping children in different social settings to move beyond their personal histories of tragedy and loss to learn to function more adaptively. This paper explores ways in which Udayan Care is improving its services to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of the children in their care.