New Vistas in Social Work: Workshop on Alternative child care options
The two-day workshop titled “New Vistas in Social Work” brought together 17 Salesians from Don Bosco centres across Karnataka and Kerala for a time of learning, reflection, and collaborative planning. Inaugurated by Fr. Provincial Jose Koyickal and welcomed by Fr. PS George, the workshop aimed to explore contemporary challenges in the field of child and youth care, while reaffirming Don Bosco’s mission to serve the most vulnerable. It served as a platform for practitioners to exchange insights, share field realities, and draw inspiration from one another.
One of the core sessions delved into Alternate Care Options of child care, providing a comprehensive overview of kinship care, foster care, group foster care, sponsorship, adoption, and aftercare. Anchored in the Juvenile Justice Act, Model Foster Guidelines 2024, and Mission Vatsalya, the presentation emphasized the legal frameworks, eligibility criteria, and implementation mechanisms. Participants also openly discussed the systemic and practical challenges in adoption and foster care, including issues of social stigma, regulatory delays, and lack of public awareness. The centre heads presented their annual reports, reflecting milestones such as psycho-social interventions, educational support, migrant outreach, skill development initiatives, and the successful rescue and reintegration of vulnerable children. Special mention was made of national awards received by various centres and the launch of meaningful publications and digital initiatives.
Looking ahead, the planning session for the upcoming year focused on strengthening programmes such as mobile health clinics, migrant support desks, NIOS education for school dropouts, and the setting up of drug rehabilitation facilities. New initiatives like developing child-friendly cities and expanding leadership capacities within the centres were also proposed. Practical workshops on communication, leadership, and goal-setting helped enhance the personal effectiveness of the participants. The workshop concluded with renewed energy and a shared commitment to uphold the rights and dignity of children through holistic, community-based care rooted in compassion and professionalism.
