THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state had never really cared whether the functioning of its welfare homes, for adults and the aged, measured up to minimum quality standards.
Unlike for children’s homes, the state had failed to evolve, or ignored the need for, a management manual for institutions like old age homes, after-care homes, mahila mandirams, rescue homes, short stay homes, homes for the mentally-challenged and the mentally ill. Their functioning, as a result, has left much to be desired.
In a radical move, the Social Justice Department has prepared the first-ever ‘management manual’ for such welfare homes.
“The manual essentially introduces some accountability in these homes,” social justice director V N Jithendran said.
“If the authorities of these homes are confused about the implementation of any initiative in their homes, they just have to consult the manual to resolve the issue,” the director said.
The manual has a well laid down ‘entry to exit’ procedures. “The measures to be adopted right from the time an inmate comes into the home to the time of leaving are detailed in the manual,” Mr Jithendran said.
The manual was prepared after a participatory and consultative process that spilled over a year; inputs were sought from both authorities and inmates of the homes.
A rights-based approach has also been introduced in these homes through the manual. “Till now, it was as if such homes were a favour done to the inmates, an act of state's condescension.
The manual has now made welfare an entitlement,” the director said. It envisages the creation of management committees in each homes, with both the inmates and officials of the home, to take joint decisions regarding various aspects of the functioning of the home, like food, recreation, library, hygiene and the like.
The most radical principle in the manual is the preparation of a ‘care plan’ for each individual in these homes, which has to be prepared by welfare officers.
The ‘care plan’ will have the history of the individual – family, home, surroundings, education, medical problems, assets – and a roadmap for the individual's future.
