Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) {समेकित बाल संरक्षण योजना}
The Integrated Child Protection Scheme is about shielding children from any danger that can cause harm to their lives. It’s about reducing uncertainty and to ensure that the children are safe and protected well. Protection is the right of every child. However, some children need more attention. The Government identifies these children as ‘children in difficult circumstances’ divided based on specific social, economic and political situations.
Not being able to protect children from issues such as violence in schools, child labor, harmful traditional practices, child marriage, child abuse, the absence of parental care and commercial sexual exploitation, amongst others, means failing in providing both the Constitutional and International assurance for children. The National Charter for Children, 2003 established on 9th February 2004, made it mandatory to protect every child is the inborn right, and all of them should enjoy a healthy and happy childhood.
Objectives
- To institutionalize necessary help & services and support structure in case of emergency, institutional care, family and community-based care, counseling and support services at the national, regional, state and district levels.
- Enhance capabilities at every level, of all functionaries including, administrators and service providers, members of allied systems including, local bodies, police, judiciary and other concerned departments of State Governments to take on tasks under the ICPS.
- Creating a database and information base for child protection services, with MIS and child tracking system in the whole country for efficient completion and monitoring of child protection services.
- Commence research and documentation.
- To toughen child protection at family and community level and promote preventive measures to protect children from situations of danger and risk.
- To make sure there are suitable inter-sect oral response at all levels with coordination and network with related to all the sectors.
- Increase awareness in public, and educate them on child rights and protection on the situation and about available child protection services, schemes and structures at all levels.
Principles
- Child protection is the most critical responsibility of the family or supported by community, Government and civil society. It is essential that irrespective of roles which are expressed evidently and understood by all of the people in the effort to protect children. Both Central and State Government must guarantee a variety of services at all levels.
- An affectionate and caring family is the best place for the child. Children are best-taken care of in their own home with their families. And they have the right to get proper care and parenting by both parents.
- The privacy and confidentiality of the children must be confined in all the stages of service delivery.
- There should not be any stigmatization and discrimination. Every child irrespective of circumstances, as well as the socio-economic, cultural, religious and ethnic background, will be treated equally and nobly.
- The prevention and reduction of risks and dangers is crucial in child protection. A significant force of ICPS will be there to support the family capabilities to care for and protect the child.
- The institutionalization of children is the last resort. Institutionalization must be used as a degree of last resort after all other options have been explored.
- The planning and implementation of child protection policies and services must be according to the child at all levels, for ensuring that the child is protected at all costs.
- The services for children in different levels and by all providers should have professional staff, including social workers, psychologists, caregivers, members of statutory bodies and lawyers.
Approaches
Prevention
By an outreach program, this Scheme will identify and help helpless families. Skilled district-level officials via efficient networking and links with the Village and Block Level Child Protection Committees, ICDS functionaries, NGOs and local bodies will make sure of meeting all the services. Community facilities for protection and observation will be toughened, and child protection alarms and safeguards will be incorporated in all sectors.
Financing
Under any Central financed scheme monetary aid from the Central Government under ICPS would be distributed to the State Government/ UT Administration. The Central Government will provide a determined percentage of the cost of the budget. The State/UT will, in return, give grant-in-aid to charitable organizations within the different components of the Scheme.
Integrated service provisions
By the edge with various sectors as well as health, education, judiciary, police, and labor, among others, the Scheme will attempt to incorporate service provision into a variety of existing services to provide to the multiple needs of children in difficult circumstances.
Continuum of services
A viable care plan for each child will be given based on an individual care plan, recognized through professional evaluation. The program must be reviewed time-to-time and changed according to that. Adequate services will be available as long as the child needs care.
Community-based service delivery
The Scheme would Endeavour to bring services closer to vulnerable children and families for increased access. Child care services should be available at the community level integrated into a range of services with strong linkages to the PRIs and local government bodies.
Structure
Government of India Level
- Central Adoption Resource Authority
- Ministry of women and child development
- Central Project Support Unit
- National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development
State Government Level
- State Child Protection Society
- State Adoption & Resource Agency
- State Project Support Unit
- State Adoption Recommendation Committee
District Level
- District Child Protection Unit
- Child Welfare Committee
- Juvenile Justice Board
- Special Juvenile Police Unit
- Sponsorship Foster Care Approval Committee
- District Inspection Committee
Sub-District Level
- Block Level Child Protection Committee
- Village Level Child Protection Committee
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is ICPS?
The Integrated Child Protection Scheme or ICPS is a scheme by the Government of India aimed at building safe vulnerable children and children suffering in any life-threatening risk and danger.
Q. When was this launched?
This was launched in 2009 for the protection of children of India.
Q. Who launched this?
The government of India launched this scheme through government and civil-society partnership for the betterment of children in vulnerable conditions.
Q. Does the state governments have any involvement in it?
Yes, the state governments along with the UT administrators have full involvement in this scheme.
Q. How is this scheme operating at different levels?
This scheme is operating efficiently at State and District levels by Child Protection Societies.
Q. How do I register a complaint about the helpless children in my society?
You can visit the official website- https://wcd.nic.in/integrated-child-protection-scheme-ICPS for more information regarding that.
Q. Who is funding for this scheme?
The government of India helps financially for successful operation of this scheme.
Q. Is it available for children under general category?
Yes, this scheme is available for every child irrespective of caste and gender.