Apex federal body for adoption tells states to boost counselling at all stages of process

New Delhi, Jul 9 (PTI) The apex government body for adoption has asked all states to strengthen their psychosocial support framework for prospective adoptive parents, adopted children, and surrendering biological parents to ensure emotional preparedness and long-term adjustments.
    The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) has issued directions to all State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARA) to implement structured counselling services before, during, and after adoption as mandated under the Adoption Regulations, 2022.
    A July 7 office memorandum underscored the need for consistent and professional counselling services for prospective adoptive parents, adopted children, and biological parents who surrender their child for adoption.
    These provisions are intended to ensure emotional preparedness and long-term adjustment, CARA said.
    It has instructed SARAs to designate or empanel qualified counsellors at both district and state levels, preferably professionals trained in child psychology, social work, or mental health, for the purpose.
    Pre-adoption counselling is to be mandatorily provided to prospective adoptive parents during the home study report process, while older children must be supported before and during the adoption phases, the apex federal body said.
    The memorandum also mandates post-adoption counselling in specific scenarios: when adopted children initiate a root search, if there is non-adjustment between the child and adoptive family, or in any case where signs of disruption or dissolution are evident.
    Counselling will also be offered in any other situation that calls for psychosocial intervention, as assessed by Specialised Adoption Agencies or District Child Protection Units, the state agencies have been told.
    CARA further directed the state agencies to ensure that biological parents surrendering their children are counselled on the legal finality of their decision, including the irrevocable nature of surrender after 60 days and the child's future right to conduct a root search.
    All counselling sessions and psychosocial interventions are to be properly recorded and documented at specialised adoption agency and district child protection unit levels.
    CARA urged SARAs to ensure compliance across all districts, child care institutions, and departments concerned under their jurisdiction, the apex federal body for adoption said in the communication.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)