Assessment of Child Care Institutions in India: Perspectives from Children Who Have Transitioned From Institutions.

This study focused on assessing the former residents' perspectives of the quality of care provided in child care institution in India, particularly those rehabilitated from the facilities in the Manipur region. With a large share of the world's children population, India takes up the responsibility of bringing care to millions of children who are orphaned or destitute. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act sets standards for protection of the welfare of children in institutional care; however, concerns of poor care quality as well as abuse and trafficking continue to be raised. The methodology applied in this study uses a qualitative technique with a fundamental interpretative design to explore the lived experiences of children who have exited these institutions. Findings from the study illuminate large discrepancies between children's need for independence and their ability to thrive independently after care, including insufficient post care preparation, inconsistent levels of emotional support, and meagre educational and skill building opportunities. These findings contrast previous studies that tend to focus on pervasive structural and regulatory shortcomings in child care institutions, while neglecting to consider the relational lived experiences of children in the aftermath of institutional care. This study stresses the need for a thorough nurturing approach to care that not only supplies children with the practical essentials to live independently but additionally handles their emotional needs. As such, this study provides important recommendations for governments, child welfare practitioners and organizations that wish to improve the institutional care and the long‐term trajectories of children leaving care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]