The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) has restricted the processes pertaining to strengthening and institutionalizing structured counseling services throughout the adoption process.
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The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) has restricted the processes pertaining to strengthening and institutionalizing structured counseling services throughout the adoption process. These include stages ranging from pre-adoption, to during adoption, and post-adoption stages.
CARA, under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, recently issued comprehensive directions to all State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs) to this effect.
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The directions come under the powers conferred by Section 70(1)(a) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2021), and are aligned with the provisions laid down under the Adoption Regulations, 2022.
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A statement from the WCD Ministry stated that the initiative aims to reinforce the psychosocial support framework for all key stakeholders — prospective adoptive parents (PAPs), adopted children, and biological parents who surrender their child for adoption.
Stating that counseling is a critical component of the adoption process and is necessary to ensure emotional preparedness, smooth transition, and long-term well-being of both the children and the families involved, the statement said that the Memorandum issued recently reiterates the mandatory nature of structured and need-based counseling services, as prescribed under various provisions of the Adoption Regulations, 2022.
As per the directions, SARAs have been instructed to designate or empanel qualified counselors at the district and state levels. These professionals should ideally have a background in child psychology, mental health, or social work. It has been made mandatory to provide pre-adoption counseling to prospective adoptive parents during the Home Study Report (HSR) process, in accordance with Regulation 10(7).
Additionally, older children must receive counseling support both before and during the adoption process, in line with Regulation 30(4)(c).
Post-adoption counseling is to be provided in specific situations, such as when an adopted child initiates a root search to trace their origins, in cases of non-adjustment between the child and adoptive family, or in any situation indicating potential disruption or dissolution of the adoption.
Moreover, counselling for biological parents surrendering their children for adoption has been mandated. They must be informed about the legal finality of their decision after 60 days and the child’s right to undertake a root search in the future, in accordance with Regulations 7(11) and 30(2)(c).
The Authority has stressed that counselling is not merely a regulatory formality but a vital support mechanism that upholds the best interest of the child and contributes to the overall success and sustainability of adoptions.
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