Structured counselling now compulsory in all adoption stages—Central Adoption Resource Authority

KOHIMA — The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, has directed all State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs) to designate or empanel qualified counsellors at both district and state levels.

In a set of comprehensive guidelines, CARA has instructed SARAs to institutionalise structured counselling services throughout the adoption process—covering the pre-adoption, during-adoption, and post-adoption stages.

These directives have been issued under the powers granted 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 Adoption Regulations, 2022.

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CARA underscored that designated counsellors must have qualifications in child psychology, mental health, or social work.

It is now mandatory to provide pre-adoption counselling to prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) during the Home Study Report (HSR) process, as per Regulation 10 (7).

In addition, older children must receive counselling both before and during the adoption process, in accordance with Regulation 30 (4) (c).

The initiative aims to reinforce psychosocial support for all stakeholders—PAPs, adopted children, and biological parents who surrender their children for adoption.

Counselling, CARA stated, is a crucial component to ensure emotional readiness, smooth transitions, and long-term well-being of both children and families.

The memorandum reiterated the mandatory nature of structured and need-based counselling services under the provisions of the Adoption Regulations, 2022.

CARA also stated that post-adoption counselling must be provided in specific cases—such as when an adopted child initiates a root search to trace their origins, in situations of non-adjustment between the child and the adoptive family, or where disruption or dissolution of the adoption is likely.

These are covered under Regulations 30 (4) (e), 14 (4), 14 (6) (b), and 21 (6). The directions also permit psychosocial intervention in other cases, as assessed by Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs) or District Child Protection Units (DCPUs).

Furthermore, biological parents who surrender their children for adoption must also undergo counselling. 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, as per Regulations 7 (11) and 30 (2) (c).

All counselling sessions and psychosocial interventions are to be systematically documented at both SAA and DCPU levels to ensure transparency and continuity of care.

CARA called upon all SARAs to ensure uniform implementation of these directives across all districts, child care institutions, and relevant agencies under their jurisdiction.