Chennai: Chennai district administration has urged the public to report child care homes operating without govt authorisation and any form of abuse or mistreatment of children.There are 91 children’s homes in Chennai city; however, many function without proper recognition or a licence. Chennai district collector S Malathi Helen said complaints and information about unauthorised child care homes and incidents of abuse could be reported to District Child Protection Unit (DCPU).DCPU functions under the Department of Child Welfare and Special Services, the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, and the state social welfare and nutritious meal programme dept. The unit undertakes several activities, including registration and inspection of child care homes, conducting meetings of child care home management committees, providing financial assistance, identifying foster care parents, creating awareness among the public about child protection and providing capacity-building training to government and private sector officials. It also conducts district-level advisory committee meetings and prepares information, education and awareness materials.There are several child care homes run by voluntary organisations in Chennai. The administration said these homes are required to be registered and operate in accordance with the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, including the amended provisions of 2006 and 2015.People can submit complaints regarding child care homes functioning without govt authorisation, as well as any form of abuse or mistreatment of children, to the District Child Protection Unit.Complaints can be submitted to the District Child Protection Officer, District Child Protection Unit, No. 300, Purasawalkam High Road, Kellys, Chennai-10.The unit can be contacted at 044-25952450 or 6369124017. Complaints can also be emailed to dcpschennai2022@gmail.com.
