Child Care & Protection

Jamaica ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in May 1991 and has been working to fulfil its commitment to ensure that the principles of the Convention are incorporated in national programmes.

Towards this end the Ministry has developed a Bill which incorporates the provisions of the Juveniles Act, with modifications and included new provisions to protect children from Abuse.
The Ministry has also established an agency to oversee the care and protection of children - the Child Development Agency, (CDA). The CDA brings together three departments - the Children Services Division, The Adoption Board and the Child Support Unit.

The mission of the CDA is “to develop, implement, co-ordinate and regulate national policies and programmes that promote the welfare of all children, meet government’s obligation to international standards for children and assist in making children capable of maximising their potential.”

The CDA became an executive agency of the Ministry of Health in April 2003 and its establishment should further enhance the protection of the rights of the child and in protecting and promoting the interest of children in Jamaica.
New Standards for Quality Care in Children’s Homes and Places of Safety were completed in 2002. They cover several areas:
• Administration & Management
• Staff - recruitment & code of conduct
• Physical environment
• Care & Supervision
• Health
• Food & Nutrition
• Education
• Rights
• Discipline
• Inspectors
The Standards are designed to ensure that children of and in Jamaica, who are received or placed and reside in Children’s Homes and Places of Safety, receive the level of quality of care, which is considered necessary by the Child Care & Protection Act to be in their best interests and to ensure their safety, good health and development for their ultimate independent existence.

Children in State Care

There are 58 Children’s Homes and Places Of Safety in Jamaica, 13 of which are operated by the Government. AT March 2003, there were 5,206 children who were wards of the State. The number of children that require state intervention for various reasons is increasing every year, moving from 10,000 in 2000 to 13,2005 in 2003.

Children from birth-18 years are made wards of the State by an Order of the Juvenile/Family Courts.

There are three (3) categories of children.
o Those in need of Care and Protection
o Those who have committed offences
o Those who are beyond parental control

INTAKE AND COUNSELING

This is the service offered by Social workers assigned to parishes to provide counseling and advise to parents, guardians, members of the public on issues affecting the welfare of the children. Their intervention is designed to keep the child within the Family but if this fails Court intervention is sought.

COURT WORK

Children’s Officers (Social Workers) assigned to the Division conduct investigations; Prepare reports and attend Juveniles/Family Courts. The officers make recommendations in their reports which should be in the children’s best interest.

INSTITUTIONAL CARE

This service covers both Places of Safety and Children’s Homes which are residential facilities caring for children who cannot reside with their families.

Places of Safety

This is a temporary holding institution, which caters to children who are awaiting:

o Court appearances
o Foster Care Placement
o Children’s Home Placement
Children’s Homechil

Provide long-term residential care for children who cannot be placed in foster care. Children in children’s Home (Government or Private) attend community schools and are exposed to skill training.

FOSTER CARE

This is the service offered by families who receive children in their care and provide for their growth and development. Foster parents are chosen on the basis of possessing special characteristics to enable them to work with the child and his\her family aimed at an early return home where this is possible. Foster parents receive a small subvention from the State.

HOME SUPERVISION

Social Workers aim to return children to their families as early as possible. Children are supervised in their own homes for a period of time and receive counseling, support and some financial assistance to facilitate the rehabilitation process.

OVERSEAS INVESTIGATIONS

This is the service provided to overseas Social Work Agencies, Jamaica Consulate and Embassies to resolve difficulties relating to children of migrant parents. These investigations include providing social reports on circumstances of children, assist with the processing of travel documents and meeting children who are being returned to Jamaica.

DAY CARE

Day Care is the non-residential care and supervision of children from birth - 4 years at the request of working parents/guardians.
Day Care gives working parents the assurance that their children are properly cared for and stimulated while the children are in the Centre.

Government provides a small subvention to some centres. The operators of the Day Care Centres are provided with training by staff of the Unit to ensure that the needs of the children are adequately met.

ADOPTION BOARD

Only the Adoption Board carries out adoption in Jamaica. A child between the ages of six weeks to eighteen years is eligible for adoption. All applications for adoption must be made to the Adoption Board.

Historical Facts

1948 – The Juvenile Law of 1948 under which Children’s Services Division operates was passed.
The Law established an authority to the Care and Protection of Juveniles.
1951 – The Juveniles Law of 1948 was promulgated.
1957 – The power of the Authority were transferred to a Minister of Government.
1971 – Recommendations made to Government for a Family Court.
1975 – Family Court (Kingston & St. Andrew) came into existence.
1975 – Children’s Officers were legally authorized to take children before the court.
1976 – Status of Children Act.