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The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 was enacted to consolidate and amend the law relating to juvenile in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection, by providing for proper care, protection and treatment by catering to their development needs, and by adopting a child-friendly approach in the adjudication and disposition of matters in the best interest of children and for their ultimate rehabilitation through various institutions established under this law. The law also addresses the growing number of crimes committed by children aged 16 to 18 in recent years.
The recovery and social inclusion of children under the Act is performed on the basis of the child’s individual care plan. It is done ideally by family-based treatment such as return to the family or guardian with or without guidance or support, or adoption or foster care.
Rehabilitation is done by providing institutional and non-institutional care:
To be effective in recovery and to maintain the children’s well-being, daily follow-up is important. The task of social workers is all the more important because children need continuous assistance even after recovery. The main objective should be to find a loving and caring family for each adoptable child and to ensure that the child’s ‘best interests’ are always borne in mind. The earlier a child is adopted by alternate families, the better it is for the child’s overall growth and progress.