The District Magistrate shall be responsible for the implementation of the Mission in the district. The District Child Protection Unit will function under the overall supervision of District Magistrate in ensuring service delivery and care and protection of children in the district. The District Magistrate shall facilitate effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015; and all other legislations, Rules and regulations for ensuring child welfare, child rights and child protection in the district, viz. Protection of children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012; the prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006; the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (HAMA) 1956; Guardians and Wards Act (GAWA) 1890; the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986; the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005; the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act 1986; the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, etc. and any other Act that comes into force for protecting child rights.
Roles and Responsibilities of DCPU:
The DCPU shall perform the functions as given under Juvenile Justice (Care and protection of Children) Rules as amended from time to time.
The DCPU shall implement all child protection legislations, schemes and work for achievement of child protection goals as laid out in the Mission.
Coordinate and implement all child rights and protection activities at district level.
Provide administrative support and act as secretariat for the implementation of the Mission at the district level.
Identify families at risk and children in need of care and protection through effective networking and linkages with the Block/ Gram Panchayat/ Ward Level Child Welfare and Protection Committees, POSHAN 2.0 functionaries, Specialized Adoption Agencies (SAA), NGOs dealing with child protection issues and local bodies.
Undertake local vulnerability mapping of the district, in terms of children in difficult circumstances, analyse and monitor trends and patterns for taking appropriate action.
Resource mapping of the district in terms of child related service providers and facilities for children.
Identify & verify credible voluntary organizations to implement program components of the Mission Vatsalya and recommend them to District Magistrate.
Facilitate implementation of family based non-institutional services including Sponsorship, Foster Care, and After Care and all adoption matters as defined in the Adoption Regulations.
Ensure that for each child in need of care and protection shall have an individual care plan and that the plan is regularly reviewed. Monitor the implementation of Plan.
Ensure setting up of Child Welfare and Protection Committees for effective implementation of programs, as well as discharge of its functions.
Supervise and monitor all institutions/agencies providing residential facilities to children in district.
Facilitate transfer of children at all levels for either restoration to their families or placing the child in long or short-term rehabilitation through sponsorship in country adoption, Foster Care, inter-country adoption and placement in institutions.
Train and build capacity of all personnel (Government and Non-government) working under child protection system to provide effective services to children.
Encourage voluntary youth participation in child protection programs at district, block and community levels.
Facilitate and ensure convergence with other departments (including those mentioned in the Convergence Matrix under Mission Vatsalya), Civil Society organisations, Academic Institutions and other stakeholders to build inter- sectoral linkages on child protection issues and for ensuring benefits to children under Central/State/any other Scheme, for welfare of Children.
Carrying out need-based research and documentation activities at district-level for analysing the contextual problems affecting children and possible Solutions.
Maintain oversight, monitoring and evaluating implementation of Mission Vatsalya in the District.
Liaising with other DCPUs and State Child Protection Societies of State/UT for restoration and rehabilitation of Children and peer learning.
Furnishing information and periodic reports as sought/ prescribed by the State/UT or Central government. Upload updated monthly reports on the Mission Vatsalya portal.
Organize monthly meeting with all stakeholders at district level including under the chairpersonship of District Magistrate.
Any other activity essential for attaining the goals and objectives of Mission Vatsalya.