learning Objectives - Describe the various child welfare services provided by Governmental &non Governmental agencies Explain the ethical & legal implication in pediatric nursing
Hours - 6
Teaching and Learning Activities - Lecture cum discussions Visit to anganwadi schools, remand homes & adoption centers
Assessment Methods - Short answers Objective type Essay type
Content of the chapter
a) Child welfare services and
agencies:
– ICDS
– Mid-day meal program
– Balwadi, anganwadi
– Day care centers
– NPSP
b) Law pertaining to Pediatrics:
– National child labour policy
– Child act.
– Juvenile justice act
– Internationally accepted rights
of the child
– Rehabilitation of delinquent &
destitute children
– Adoption laws and services
– Adolescent health programs
– menstrual hygiene, WIFS
program, adolescent safety
program
Child welfare refers to services and programs aimed at promoting the health, nutrition, education, protection, and overall well-being of children. These services are essential for ensuring survival, development, protection, and participation, in line with national policies and international conventions.
a) Child Welfare Services and Agencies
1. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
- Objective: Improve health, nutrition, and development of children under 6 years and pregnant/lactating mothers.
- Components:
- Supplementary nutrition
- Immunization
- Health check-ups
- Referral services
- Pre-school non-formal education
- Nutrition and health education for mothers
- Function: Delivered mainly through Anganwadi centers.
2. Mid-Day Meal Program
- Objective: Improve nutrition and school attendance of children (6–14 years)
- Features:
- Provides cooked meals in government and government-aided schools
- Reduces dropouts and malnutrition
- Role of Nurse: Monitor nutritional status, health education
3. Balwadi / Anganwadi
- Balwadi: Pre-school centers for children aged 3–5 years, focusing on early childhood education
- Anganwadi: Part of ICDS; provides nutrition, health check-ups, immunization, early education
- Nursing Role: Health check-ups, monitoring growth, parental counseling
4. Day Care Centers
- Purpose: Provide supervision and care for children of working parents
- Services: Nutrition, early education, recreational activities
- Nursing Role: Monitor health, nutrition, hygiene, safety
5. National Polio Surveillance Program (NPSP)
- Objective: Detect and prevent polio cases in children
- Activities: Surveillance, immunization campaigns, community awareness
- Nursing Role: Administer vaccines, maintain records, educate community
b) Laws Pertaining to Pediatrics
1. National Child Labour Policy
- Objective: Eliminate child labor and ensure rehabilitation
- Key Points:
- Minimum age of employment (14 years for non-hazardous work)
- Prohibition of hazardous work for children
- Rehabilitation programs for working children
- Nursing Role: Identify children at risk, educate families
2. Child Act (Protection of Children)
- Objective: Protect children from exploitation, abuse, and neglect
- Key Points:
- Defines rights of children
- Mandates reporting of abuse
- Provides legal protection and rehabilitation
3. Juvenile Justice Act
- Objective: Care, protection, and rehabilitation of children in conflict with law
- Key Points:
- Separate juvenile courts
- Rehabilitation homes for delinquent children
- Foster care and adoption
- Nursing Role: Participate in psychosocial care, health assessment, and rehabilitation
4. Internationally Accepted Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
- Key Principles:
- Right to survival, development, protection, and participation
- Right to education, health, and protection from abuse
- Role of Nurse: Promote rights, provide health care, educate parents and community
5. Rehabilitation of Delinquent & Destitute Children
- Objective: Social, educational, and vocational rehabilitation
- Programs: Foster care, adoption, skill training, counseling
- Nursing Role: Monitor health, provide psychological support, health education
6. Adoption Laws and Services
- Objective: Provide permanent family care for orphaned/abandoned children
- Agencies: CARA (Central Adoption Resource Authority)
- Nursing Role: Assess child’s health, monitor growth, guide adoptive parents
7. Adolescent Health Programs
- Key Programs:
- Menstrual Hygiene Program: Promote awareness and safe practices
- Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS): Prevent iron deficiency anemia
- Adolescent Safety Program: Address mental health, sexual and reproductive health, road safety
- Nursing Role: Health education, screening, counseling, monitoring compliance
Conclusion
Child welfare services in India aim to ensure optimal growth, development, protection, and participation of children from birth to adolescence. Nurses play a critical role in implementing these programs, educating families, promoting health, and ensuring rights and protection of children in both hospital and community settings.