Child Care Institutions Research Articles

Social Determinants of Wellbeing Children in Need of Care and Protection at Crossroads

Abstract: The Juvenile Justice Act in India in the past two decades been amended several times to make it more child friendly and to preserve the dignity and best interests of the child. There have been notable changes with changes in nomenclature, increased age limits, adding categories and methods of restoration and continuing protections. This study takes up the issue of the children in need of care and protection and attempts to examine the relevance and application of the amended Juvenile Justice legislation in their lives. It focuses on children in need of care and protection for two reasons. Firstly, if they can be taken care of, will it prevent the emergence of children in conflict with law to some extent? Secondly, neglect of the youngest and the most vulnerable population is something that must be addressed urgently. It is an exploratory cum descriptive study that aims to describe and examine the state and nature of the quality of life of children in need of care and protection in four State Government run correctional institutions in two districts of Delhi; West and North. Data was collected through semi-structured interview and observation method along with case studies. While examining in detail the socio-economic backgrounds of the children in institutional care under the Juvenile Justice Act in Delhi, there was an attempt to study the perceptions of the children about the institutional services. It sheds light on the factors that forced these children to leave their families and their entry into the institutions and their experiences outside and within the institutions. An attempt to understand the Juvenile Justice System through the eyes of the institutionalised children now free and on the streets again adds a required dimension to this study, making it relevant all times. It helps to provide a fair picture of what the children on streets and in need, want from the institutions. If institutionalized services are serving their purpose or community based correctional services are a better option? The findings of the study reveal various issues and challenges in the child care institutions while rehabilitating children. Apart from bringing out some additional problems than what have been known so far, it helps in identifying new areas of research in this field – Similar exhaustive studies of juvenile institutions and street children in other States where the amended Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act has been implemented, (ii) Study of the NGO managed institutes under the Juvenile Justice System in the Capital and other states of the country to understand innovative strategies. Secondly, the information generated can be effectively used in future planning for the children. The study advocates for the end of de facto criminalization of street children and by placing the relevant legislation outside the criminal justice system and by transferring, their care and protection to agencies — whether governmental or non-governmental — whose personnel are trained in social work, not correction. Greater emphasis, in particular, must be placed on the rehabilitation and personal development of former street children

INVISIBLES AT SCHOOL: RE-SIGNIFYING FOSTER CARE PEDAGOGIES FOR ADOPTED AND INSTITUTIONAL CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

This article presents the results of a qualitative research on adopted institutional care children and adolescents that investigated the need to re-signify Foster Care Pedagogies to reverse their invisibility in schools. Freire's (2000) and Skliar's (2019) contributions on inclusion and diversity pointed to the need for greater attention to the uniqueness of each child and adolescent enrolled in elementary schools. It was executed a case study based on Yin (2000), where three interviews were conducted with the teacher, pedagogical coordinator and principal; four interviews with families of adopted children; and a workshop with twenty-two students in a municipal school in Caxias do Sul/RS, Brazil. Categories of analysis were built considering the pedagogies of Reception, the planning of the pedagogical strategy for children and adolescents adopted and the impact of institutional care for children. It was possible to observe that when the condition of adoption or institutional foster care is made invisible in educational spaces, and it can cause significant changes in the learning and development of these human beings. For data analysis, it was used the content analysis technique of Bardin (1994). The results indicated that it is necessary to accomplish inclusive actions that consider the differences of children and adolescents adopted or in institutional care.

Every Life Matters: Empowering Care Leavers on Their Path to Independence

ABSTRACTFollowing the transition into society, adolescents' rehabilitation and social integration are the main concerns for child care institutions (CCIs). By recognizing the challenges adolescents face, it is possible to facilitate their rehabilitation and integration into society. This study aims to identify the issues and obstacles impeding care leavers' rehabilitation and integration process, as perceived by caregivers. The researcher employs social constructivism as a theoretical framework and qualitative description method as the research design. The study involved eight participants, selected through purposive sampling, and semi‐structured interviews were used to collect data. The study's findings elucidate the risk and protective factors associated with the issues faced by care leavers, including caregiving environment and support, social and community support, educational challenges, psychological and emotional challenges, social isolation and discrimination, among others. Based on the findings, the researcher has developed a Holistic Care Integration and Transition (HCIT) framework for practitioners and policymakers.

Institutional escapes, breaks, and continuities: Reframing running away from residential child care institutions

Abstract This article offers a novel approach to understand the phenomenon of running away from residential care institutions, challenging prevailing views that pathologize these incidents as individual deviance. Drawing on insights from the sociology of escape and Deleuze and Guattari’s concepts of rhizome and lines of escape, we examine spatial, temporal, and relational dimensions of institutions, revealing the porous nature of institutional boundaries and non-linear characteristics of runaways. By reframing runaways as integral to institutional life rather than isolated events, we argue against reducing them to individual traits. Running away serves as pivotal moments that disrupt and shape institutional norms, highlighting inherent limitations in care. Conceptualizing running away as running-around within the institutional assemblage, we challenge binary inside/outside distinctions and argue that they oversimplify institutional complexity. Our analysis underscores how institutions exert totalizing control through surveillance, while being transformed through acts of running away. Examining the employees’ experiences though five focus group interviews, we critique the conventional perception of institutions as places of care, emphasizing their unbounded and multifaceted social configurations. We discuss how institutional powers shape semiotic systems that govern young people’s behaviour, advocating for a nuanced understanding of residential institutions as rhizomatic formations, where individual actions continually reshape institutional practices and perceptions.

Intervention with institutional caregivers for the purpose of supportive education for disadvantaged children: 3C.

Children in institutional care may have limited access to educational opportunities compared to children in parental care. Improving and enriching the educational practices of these children is important for their well-being. In this study, the Child Development, Communication and Care (3C) Training Program was prepared by the researchers. The 3C education approach emphasizes early childhood development and education. Particular focus is on the use of communication techniques in the education of young children. Our goal with 3C is to increase caregivers' knowledge of child development and support them to communicate effectively with children. Through this curriculum framework, children are encouraged to interact effectively and empathically with others. Therefore, the curriculum framework emphasizes understanding emotions and building trusting relationships as key components in the holistic development of young disadvantaged children. A quasi-experimental design with pre-test-post-control group was used in the study. 16 sessions of 3C were applied to the personnel in the experimental group via distance education. Data were collected from the participants before and after the start of the training program by using the Child Education Competence Scale-Parent Form, Personal Information Form, and Training Evaluation Questionnaire. As a result, significant differences were obtained between the experimental and control groups in favor of the group receiving training (z = 3.57, p<0.05). Accordingly, it can be said that 3C contributes to the holistic development of the child. It is hoped that such work could enhance the developmental outcomes of young children in institutional care and improve the quality of early childhood education.

Emotion understanding among institutionalized preschool children in India: A visual-based approach.

The present study aimed to develop two visual tasks to assess the emotion understanding of institutionalized preschool children in India. To enhance the psychometric qualities of both tasks, content validity and inter-rater reliability assessments, translation-back translation and a rigorous peer review process were undertaken. In addition, the tool's components were mapped with institutionalized children's everyday experiences to help them better relate to the task. The tool development phase was followed by the assessment phase. Eighteen participants (nine males, nine females) aged 3-6 years were purposefully selected from three childcare institutions. The emotion identification task required children to identify the correct emotions from the cartoon characters' facial expressions and gestures, whereas, in the emotion situation task, children were asked to infer others' emotions from a vignette depicted by a picture card. Children's responses were videotaped, analysed and coded for both tasks. The study's key findings revealed that institutionalized children responded more accurately to emotion situation tasks yet struggled to identify sadness, anger and fear emotions compared to happiness. Furthermore, qualitative insights provided a comprehensive understanding and interpretation of the findings.

THE IMPACT OF STIGMA ON THE WELLBEING OF CHILDREN IN KADUNA ORPHANAGES

Background: Orphans in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria, face increasing challenges due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, terrorism, and natural disasters, leading to a growing orphan population. In addition to the material hardships experienced by orphans, stigmatization remains a profound issue, exacerbating their medical, social, and psychological well-being. Stigma affects children’s self-esteem, mental health, social relationships, and access to opportunities, making it a critical area of concern for orphaned children in institutional care. This study investigates the impact of stigma on the well-being of children in orphanages in Kaduna, Nigeria, focusing on medical, social, and psychosocial aspects of their lives. Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 100 children living in orphanages across Kaduna. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires designed to capture socio-demographic data, medical conditions, behavioural patterns, stigma levels, and psychosocial status. The study also explored how these children cope with the stigma associated with being orphans. Results: The findings revealed a significant presence of stigma among the orphan population, with 9% of children reporting being stigmatized by peers. Although 83.3% of respondents indicated positive peer relationships, bullying affected 11.4% of the children. Medical issues were prevalent, with 53.7% of the children underweight and 46.7% not fully immunized. Behavioural disorders such as hyperactivity (27%) and enuresis (22.3%) were also common. Despite these challenges, 89.2% reported good self-esteem, although many employed maladaptive coping mechanisms, with 46.8% adjusting their goals to cope with their circumstances. Conclusion: The study highlights the pervasive impact of stigma on the well-being of orphans in Kaduna, contributing to psychological distress and health challenges. Addressing the stigma and its effects requires comprehensive intervention strategies that integrate medical, psychosocial, and educational support.

Experiences and Perspective of Caretakers Working in Childcare Institutes in Delhi: A Qualitative Inquiry

Abstract Context: Institutional care is a common alternative for children who have been displaced from their homes due to a variety of socioeconomic factors. The quality of care and well-being of children in such institutions has been under research due to its long-lasting impacts on a child’s early development. However, the perspective of caregivers who are an important point of contact with the children is yet to be explored thoroughly. Aim: The current study aims to understand the experiences of caregivers in childcare institutes (CCIs) through a qualitative lens of inquiry. Settings and Design: The study has employed a qualitative, exploratory, inductive research design. Methodology: A semi-structured focus group discussion (FGD) schedule was developed, and FGDs were held with caregivers across seven CCIs in five districts of New Delhi. Qualitative Analysis: Using analysis software (QSR NVIVO 10), thematic analysis was conducted in two stages, namely, initial coding and focused coding to organize the data into meaningful themes. Results: The thematic analysis revealed a set of 4 main themes, 13 subthemes, and more than 200 codes emerging from the qualitative dataset. The themes threw light on key challenges and concerns that caretakers of children in institutional care often face. The caretakers’ current knowledge of psychological concerns and the gap in providing psychologically informed care for children is emphasized. Conclusion: The study highlights some key beliefs, such as stigma regarding mental health concerns and perceptions about their work as a “duty.” In addition, knowledge among caregivers about specific psychological issues such as self-harm and aggression may influence caring for children. Furthermore, prominent skillset challenges such as the management of children with emotional and behavioral concerns, and children with disability were highlighted. The findings reveal that the caregivers experience workplace burden due to a lack of adequate resources and specialized knowledge in childcare.

Institutionalization Of Children And Their Overall Development

The ideal environment for children's physical, psychological, and emotional development is within a family. All children should live in supportive, protective, and caring settings that enables them to achieve their full potential. Those with inadequate or no parental care are especially at risk of missing out on such nurturing environments. Many children in India lack a stable home and family. These include abandoned, surrendered, and orphaned children, as well as destitute children with families. These children are particularly vulnerable in terms of their right to survival, development, and protection. The State is accountable for protecting the rights pertaining to these children and ensuring appropriate alternative care through its competent authorities, such as nongovernmental organizations and civil society organizations. The Government also enacted the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015, which serves as the major legislative framework for child protection in India, ensuring the security, protection, education, welfare, and development of children in need. The paper attempts to explore the institutionalization of children, the shortcomings of such a process, and the felt needs of the children. It focuses on the concerns of institutionalization and the overall development of children, access to their rights, welfare provisions, and relevant legislations. It also looks at adoption as an alternative to institutionalization. The paper thus examines child care institutions from the perspective of the child and argues that institutional care should be the last resort. It also discusses contemporary social work and advocates for alternative care, along with comprehensive welfare measures to guarantee the protection and overall development of children in need

Challenges experienced by caregivers working in institutions for children. A case of four children’s homes in Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT Institutional care is one of the child care strategies used to provide secure family environments to children at risk. In this vein, institutions provide care through caregivers who look after children round the clock. These caregivers are trained and expected to provide high-quality services. However, in so doing, the caregivers face several challenges. This paper is based on a qualitative study that collected data from 24 caregivers working at four childcare institutions in Harare, Zimbabwe. The study employed a multiple case study design that was embedded in a phenomenological design. Findings from the study revealed that challenges experienced by caregivers include high caseloads and lack of resources, regulations which do not promote proper child development, inadequate training for caregivers, and nonexistence of a representative body for caregivers and the existence of multiple reporting systems for children. Noteworthy, is the fact that these challenges result in the provision of inappropriate services to children in institutions culminating in dilution of quality-of-care services’ provision to children. To this end, the author suggests a redress of caregivers’ roles and revision of institutional care framework; to address the challenges faced by caregivers.

Understanding parental preference for childcare: a cross-sectional study in Chongqing, China.

This study analyzed the factors influencing childcare preference and the relationship between childcare preference and childcare service demand scale, using data collected from a questionnaire survey of 3,921 parents of infants and toddlers in Chongqing, China. The results indicate that parents with higher incomes, higher education levels, older ages, multiple infants, and dual-career living in urban areas have a stronger preference for childcare. In the shared or grandparent care model, the childcare preference is not obvious. Parents of infants tend to choose childcare institutions that provide reception services, early education, and convenience services. Higher quality environmental facilities tend to reduce the preference of parents for childcare.

Social Vulnerability for Polysubstance Use: Exploring the Substance Use Initiation and Pattern among Children with Cumulative Trauma

Background: Due to a concerning rise in reported cases of childhood abuse in India, this study was initiated with the aim of uncovering the social determinants contributing to childhood trauma. Moreover, the second objective of the study was to discuss substance use initiation and patterns among children with cumulative trauma. Method: As a result, an in-depth interview served as a primary source of viewpoints to examine the essential objective. The study was conducted on children with a history of abuse. Twenty-eight children in the age group of 13–18 years (Mage = 16) residing in child-care institutes in Assam were taken into consideration. Results: Content analysis indicated child care and education, parental divorce or remarriage, domestic violence, family mental illness, household substance misuse, parental health, parental crime, poverty, and sexual and physical violence as social determinants of health for childhood trauma. Children reported using alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, cough syrup, inhalants such as paint, and glue, chewables such as betel nut and Gutka (chewing tobacco), and pharmaceutical tablets. Initiation and pattern of substance use among early initiators were likely to be encouraged by detrimental peer influence, indicating substance abuse as normal behavior and the family’s role in shaping children’s pattern of substance use. Problematic patterns of substance use were identified, for instance, health consequences, neglect of responsibilities, and increased daily frequency. Conclusion: The results of this study may offer practical insights for healthcare professionals, enhancing their comprehension and addressing the social determinants of health indicating trauma and referring them to appropriate treatments. A holistic approach, which encompasses the collaboration of policymakers and healthcare providers, is vital for fostering health equity, thereby potentially preventing child abuse, childhood trauma and subsequent recidivism of substance use.

Caregivers’ Perspectives About Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing of Next Generation of Hill Tribe Children in Institutional Care in Northern Thailand: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT Children who grow up in institutional care are usually separated from their families. Separation from families can have lasting negative effects on the physical, cognitive and emotional development of these children. The study aimed to explore the perspectives of caregivers about the health and psychosocial wellbeing of the new generation of Hill Tribe Children in institutional care. Data collection involves both focus group interviews and in-depth one-to-one interviews. Thematic analysis was applied to derive key themes from the data. Four themes emerged from the analysis, namely, (1) Persistent health problems, including lice, scabies, and dental caries; (2) Challenging emotional and behavioral expressions of Generation Z children, including physical and verbal aggression, emotional suppression, and fading social and cultural etiquette; (3) Tensions between discipline and children “s rights; and (4) Emotional fulfillment accompanied by exhaustion. Caregivers” perspectives highlighted the challenges of working with Hill Tribe children. Further training may be needed to manage the balance between addressing the evolving needs of a new generation of Hill Tribe children and preserving their cultural background.

The direct effect of basic need services, and social support on positive mental health among institutionalized children: the mediating role of psychological capital

Previous research in Ethiopia mainly contemplated studying children’s mental distress and the negative effects of orphanages. However, there is a dearth of documented evidence on how positive psychological resources, social support, basic needs services, and mental health impact the well-being of children in childcare institutions and how care centers can benefit vulnerable children. This study aimed to investigate the direct impact of perceived social support (PSS), basic need services (BNS), and Psychological Capital (PsyCap) on the mental health of children in childcare settings. Additionally, the study sought to explore the mediating role of PsyCap between PSS, BNS, and children’s positive mental health (PMH). A total of 420 institutionalized Ethiopian children, comprising 187 females and 233 males, were selected by using a stratified multistage random sampling approach. Validated and standardized measures of psychological well-being (PWB), PsyCap, BNS, and PSS were employed to collect data from the study participants. The findings from the structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis revealed that BNS and PsyCap directly and significantly predicted the PMH of children. Moreover, both BNS and PSS exhibited a positive and significant effect on the higher-order PsyCap construct. Although PSS did not directly influence positive mental health, it indirectly predicted mental health outcomes through the presence of PsyCap. Furthermore, PsyCap played a mediating role between BNS and positive mental health outcomes. It is recommended that future research replicate and expand upon the current study’s findings to gain insights into the positive mental health of institutionalized children.

Designing a mentorship curriculum for assisting social reintegration among youth in institutional care in India

Although child protection policies and laws in India recognise the importance of aftercare, there is still a significant lack of infrastructure, available services, and systematic preparation for the transition. The accelerated and compressed journey from adolescence to adulthood, coupled with limited options to return home if their initial endeavours falter, adds to the complexity of the transition process. To develop knowledge and skills for transition preparedness, this paper presents a step-by-step approach to designing an educative, mentorship-based curriculum. The curriculum is based on an exploratory study conducted across 17 child care institutions in Pune, India. Findings showed that the adolescents appreciate the existing support resources, but feel that much of the critical, practical, and seemingly more urgent transitional needs are still left out. Borrowing insights from the primary data and the available literature, the curriculum has been designed to target six core areas addressing needs for belongingness, preparation for life after transition, enabling clarity of future vision, life skills, enhancing employability, and problem-solving. To buffer the overall stress of the transition, the focus of the curriculum has been kept simultaneously on promoting overall well-being and providing professional and career development support. The study recommends a robust evaluation framework to assess the relevance and effectiveness of the curriculum.

Cultural Imperatives on Indigenous Kinship Care among the Poumai Naga Tribe in Manipur, India

The increasing scale of human suffering in the world caused by disasters, wars, violence, conflicts, old age problems and other physical ailments has led to a high demand for care providers. Similarly, the demand for care providers in India is no different and arises from poverty, violence, communal riots, ethnic conflicts, development-induced displacements or climate change disasters. The problem of care has penetrated even into the domain of the private life of the family. Social practices associated with caring are highly valued in the sociocultural milieu. It is a new way of thinking about care that can be incorporated into the conception of social pedagogy. This study highlights the absence of intimate parental care due to many sociopolitical circumstances, which creates a vacuum in fostering early childhood care. The objectives were to determine the dilemmas faced by care providers in the limited resources division between their own and their kin’s child and the invisible social stigma associated with the tag of orphans. Kinship care practices among the indigenous Poumai Naga tribe involve alternative relational care to institutional care for children. The descriptive research design involved in-depth interviews with the elders, care receivers and care providers in the community. The article concludes that relational bonds, rather than obligatory senses, are the guiding factor for keeping children with them despite hardships and natural allure of sending them to institutional care.

Navigating the vulnerabilities and coping mechanisms of children in residential child care institutions: A qualitative exploration

Residential child care institutions around the globe play a significant role in protecting children in need of care and protection. While these facilities facilitate hope and rehabilitation, the displacement of children from their families introduces a variety of psychosocial stressors. This qualitative study aims to elucidate children’s vulnerabilities and coping mechanisms in residential child care institutions in Kerala, India. We conducted in-depth interviews with 21 children aged 8-16 living in institutional care within Ernakulam District, Kerala, India, registered under the Juvenile Justice (JJ) (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015. Semi-structured interviews covered various domains, including demographics, emotional well-being, social interactions, behavioral issues, academics, and coping mechanisms. Attride-Stirling’s thematic network analysis was used in the data analysis to identify significant themes. The themes identified include (a) emotional well-being and self-perception, (b) behavioral problems, (c) social networking and interaction patterns, (d) educational and career aspirations, and (e) strengths and coping mechanisms. Our study presents the multifaceted challenges encountered by children in Kerala’s residential child care institutions, highlighting the need to create a nurturing environment that fosters child-centric practices that are essential to ensure their well-being and better prospects for their future.

Too Scared to Talk: Managing Selective Mutism in an Abandoned Girl

Selective mutism (SM) is a complex anxiety-related disorder, primarily prevalent in girls, and usually diagnosed in early childhood. The main diagnostic features include persistent failure to speak in some social situations, where there is an expectation for speaking, despite normal or near-normal speech in other social settings. AD, an abandoned girl, about 3-year-old, from a child care institute was referred for a medical examination to a tertiary care pediatric hospital. The major complaints were poor appetite, failure to speak to others, and excessive aloofness. She had no major behavioral difficulties, was cooperative, and complied with all verbal instructions. She would use gestures to communicate. The child was diagnosed with SM and a comprehensive individualized therapeutic plan was implemented. The management plan focused on enhancing attachment, cognitive stimulation, and language skills. As a first step, AD was enrolled in a day care center. An enabling and enriching environment was provided with plentiful opportunities for play and interaction with peers. Defocused communication that involved sitting alongside the child rather than face to face, creating joint attention using tasks that the child enjoyed, not asking direct questions, giving the child adequate time to reply, and continuing with the conversation even if she did not respond verbally was used as the primary treatment strategy. Collaborative teams including pediatricians and mental health professionals can play an integral role in early diagnosis and in overseeing the challenging path of overcoming SM in young children from adverse circumstances.

The protective measure for institutional care of children and adolescents from the perspective of national studies.

This article aims to analyze the national scientific production on protective measures aimed at institutional care for at-risk children and adolescents in Brazil. By carrying out an integrative review, we seek to reflect on the main trends, themes, institutional actors, methodologies, and objectives of studies on the aforementioned measure and to analyze how the conditions and the right to health are presented and articulated in these references. Six thematic units were identified in the collection: Perceptions and roles of different actors in institutional reception processes; Processes of autonomy, dismissal, and causes of institutional care; Legislative aspects, evaluation of services, and identification of profiles; Family and community coexistence; Education and professional training; and Physical and mental health of sheltered children and adolescents. In Brazil, specifically, few studies investigate the concepts of the children and adolescents placed in shelters concerning protective measure processes or access to education. The link between poverty and institutionalization appears prominently and the scarcity of activities aimed primarily at family reintegration is evident. A large number of surveys point to the difficulties in implementing legislation.

SOCIAL WORK MAKING REPATRIATION A REALITY: A CASE STUDY FROM THE STATE OF PUNJAB

Children’s homes play a crucial role in providing a safe and nurturing environment for vulnerable children. However, several challenges including managing children from diverse backgrounds, addressing the specific needs of children at different developmental stages etc. persist in children’s homes that may compromise the quality of care and the potential positive outcomes for the children. The study examines pertinent issues within children`s homes, drawing attention to systemic flaws, staffing shortages, language barriers, and procedural discrepancies. This study also focused on evaluating the pivotal role of social workers, as they directly engage with the children and act as the primary facilitators for rehabilitation and family reunification processes. The study analyzed secondary data received through a RTI from children home in Hoshiarpur. This data was analyzed to identify trends related to age demographics and the impact of social workers` interventions on these children. The study`s implications extend to policy formulation, practice enhancement, and future research endeavors, advocating for holistic approaches that prioritize children`s rights, needs, and familial connections within the context of child care institutions.