Foster Care in India from 2010 to 2024—Policy and Humanity Lens

The feature article explores the journey of foster care in India from 2010 to 2024 as an analysis and commentary on the substantive changes between the foster care 2016 model guidelines and the newly released foster care 2024 guidelines. The article highlights the historical context of foster care in India, acknowledging the efforts of pioneers over the past decades. It discusses the challenges of scaling up foster care nationwide, emphasising the need for proper support systems and cultural sensitivity. Reflecting on the journey since 2016, the article acknowledges the slow progress and instances of corruption in foster care implementation. It underscores the importance of trained oversight and social work expertise in ensuring the well-being of children in foster care. Looking ahead to 2024, with the release of new foster care guidelines, the article suggests a shift towards a child-centred approach and emphasises the need for robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. In summary, the article advocates for a comprehensive approach to foster care implementation in India, encompassing cultural sensitivity, capacity building, community engagement, legal framework alignment, child-centred practices and effective monitoring and evaluation.