News & Announcement
Two-Day Training on Aftercare Held in Namchi to Strengthen Support for Care Leavers
Namchi, November 5 (IPR): A two-day training programme on aftercare was organised at the District Conference Hall, Namchi, on November 4 and 5, with the objective of strengthening support systems for children and young people transitioning out of institutional care and enabling them to lead independent, dignified and self-reliant lives.
The programme was organised by the Women, Children, Senior Citizens and Differently Abled Welfare Department (WCSC&DWD), Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with Udayan Care, Delhi, which also facilitated the training sessions. A total of 41 child protection functionaries from Namchi, Soreng and Gyalshing districts participated in the programme.
The concluding session was attended by the Additional District Collector, Namchi, Ms Tirsang Tamang, and Joint Director, WCSC&DWD, Government of Sikkim, Ms Manisha Cintury.
The participants comprised members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), counsellors, Child Care Institution (CCI) in-charges, social workers, probation officers dealing with institutional and non-institutional care, and care leavers.
Focus on Preparing Children for Independent Living
The training primarily focused on two key areas: preparing children aged 14 to 18 years residing in institutional care for independent living and providing continued guidance and support to young people transitioning out of Child Care Institutions upon attaining the age of 18 years.
The first day commenced with sessions on the concept and legal framework of aftercare in India, including provisions for children with special needs. Participants were also sensitised to best practices adopted across India and internationally, along with an overview of Sikkim’s progress and initiatives in the field of aftercare.
The sessions on transition planning highlighted the importance of early preparation for children aged 14 to 18 years to ensure a smooth transition into independent adulthood. Emphasis was laid on skill development, educational linkages, access to essential identity documents and the preparation of Individual Care Plans (ICPs) to address the specific needs and aspirations of each child. The roles and responsibilities of Child Care Institutions, Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards and District Child Protection Units were also discussed.
On the second day, participants revisited the key learnings from the previous sessions and deliberated on follow-up mechanisms, post-release support, monitoring and evaluation, and the maintenance of a comprehensive database of care leavers. A dedicated session also focused on developing Individual Aftercare Plans (IAPs) for young people aged 18 years and above.
Further discussions centred on strengthening inter-departmental partnerships and establishing a single-window support system to address the varied needs of care leavers. Participants also explored ways to connect young people with the State Care Leavers Network, namely the Care Leavers Association of Sikkim, while encouraging care leavers to participate in meetings and training programmes as role models. The need to strengthen the district-level chapter of the network was also emphasised.
The two-day training programme concluded with the formulation of a District Aftercare Action Plan, outlining specific action points, responsibilities and timelines for effective implementation across the participating districts.
The initiative marks an important step towards strengthening the child protection framework in the State and ensuring that children and young people leaving institutional care receive the necessary guidance, opportunities and continued support to transition successfully into independent and productive lives.
The programme was organised by the Women, Children, Senior Citizens and Differently Abled Welfare Department (WCSC&DWD), Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with Udayan Care, Delhi, which also facilitated the training sessions. A total of 41 child protection functionaries from Namchi, Soreng and Gyalshing districts participated in the programme.
The concluding session was attended by the Additional District Collector, Namchi, Ms Tirsang Tamang, and Joint Director, WCSC&DWD, Government of Sikkim, Ms Manisha Cintury.
The participants comprised members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), counsellors, Child Care Institution (CCI) in-charges, social workers, probation officers dealing with institutional and non-institutional care, and care leavers.
Focus on Preparing Children for Independent Living
The training primarily focused on two key areas: preparing children aged 14 to 18 years residing in institutional care for independent living and providing continued guidance and support to young people transitioning out of Child Care Institutions upon attaining the age of 18 years.
The first day commenced with sessions on the concept and legal framework of aftercare in India, including provisions for children with special needs. Participants were also sensitised to best practices adopted across India and internationally, along with an overview of Sikkim’s progress and initiatives in the field of aftercare.
The sessions on transition planning highlighted the importance of early preparation for children aged 14 to 18 years to ensure a smooth transition into independent adulthood. Emphasis was laid on skill development, educational linkages, access to essential identity documents and the preparation of Individual Care Plans (ICPs) to address the specific needs and aspirations of each child. The roles and responsibilities of Child Care Institutions, Child Welfare Committees, Juvenile Justice Boards and District Child Protection Units were also discussed.
On the second day, participants revisited the key learnings from the previous sessions and deliberated on follow-up mechanisms, post-release support, monitoring and evaluation, and the maintenance of a comprehensive database of care leavers. A dedicated session also focused on developing Individual Aftercare Plans (IAPs) for young people aged 18 years and above.
Further discussions centred on strengthening inter-departmental partnerships and establishing a single-window support system to address the varied needs of care leavers. Participants also explored ways to connect young people with the State Care Leavers Network, namely the Care Leavers Association of Sikkim, while encouraging care leavers to participate in meetings and training programmes as role models. The need to strengthen the district-level chapter of the network was also emphasised.
The two-day training programme concluded with the formulation of a District Aftercare Action Plan, outlining specific action points, responsibilities and timelines for effective implementation across the participating districts.
The initiative marks an important step towards strengthening the child protection framework in the State and ensuring that children and young people leaving institutional care receive the necessary guidance, opportunities and continued support to transition successfully into independent and productive lives.
