Section 37 in The M.P. Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules, 2003
37. Shelter Homes.
(1)For the children in urgent need of care and protection, such as destitutes, street children etc. the State Government support creation of the requisite number and not less than one Shelter Home through voluntary organizations. Local Authority Children with special needs from Children's Homes may also be referred to these Shelter Homes for special care, if such special care is available.(2)The Shelter Homes may be run in a manner, which facilitates following two stages of intervention during the period of initial contact with children,-(a)First contact.-The first stage of intervention shall be made through initiating first contact intervention similar to street contact centers located on Railway Stations or other areas of high density of children at risk;(b)Transit care. - The second shall be to facilitate a more settled setting for children in crisis who require transit care prior to long-term placement.(3)Infrastructure. - The first contact centers of the Shelter Home shall have a fairly large physical space for reception of children along with attached bathing and toilet facilities. The Shelter Homes for transit care shall have the minimum facilities of boarding and lodging besides the provision for fulfilment of basic needs in terms of clothing. Both these centers of the Shelter Home shall be managed in such a way as to provide child centered community based reception centers for children.(4)The Child Welfare Committees, Special Juvenile Police Units, Public Servants, Child Lines, Voluntary Organizations, Social Workers and the children themselves may refer a child to such facilities.(5)The legal requirements of investigation and disposal shall not apply in cases of children residing in the Shelter Home, except giving information to the committee and the police about the missing or homeless children besides initiating legal action in the interest of the child in terms of the Act or other child related laws.(6)Duration of stay in the Shelter Homes. - The Staff of the Shelter Home shall make a case plan for each child and work with the child to try and find a suitable placement as soon as possible. No child shall ordinarily stay in the transit care Shelter Home for more than 3 to 6.months, in case of Government funding all children who have not been placed in such home shall be referred to other Non-Government Organization for further follow up. A list of such Non-Government Organization shall be maintained and effective liaison and networking initiated to facilitate such referrals.(7)Management. - The Shelter Home shall be run by recognized or authorized voluntary organizations having a minimum of one year in dealing with children in especially difficult circumstances. The Shelter Home shall, to the extent possible, be managed by taking into account the principles and standards outlined in the Rules listed in the Chapter VII on Institutional management, in accordance with the needs of the child.
