NCERT Textbook: Management of Support Services, Institutions & Programmes for Children | Home Science for Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


116
Chapter
7
Learning Objectives
After completing this section the learner will be able to:
z z explain why services, institutions and programmes are needed for 
children, youth and elderly
z z describe the aspects involved in management of institutions and 
programmes
z z discuss the knowledge base and skills set required to manage and 
run institutions and programmes
z z become aware of the career opportunities available in this ??eld.
Significance 
Family is the basic unit of the society and one of its chief functions is 
to look after the needs of its members. The members in a family could 
include parents, their children of various ages and the grandparents. The 
composition of the family will vary from one household to another but at 
Management of Support 
Services, Institutions and 
Programmes for Children, 
Youth and Elderly
Chapters.indd   116 8/12/2022   3:28:53 PM
2024-25
Page 2


116
Chapter
7
Learning Objectives
After completing this section the learner will be able to:
z z explain why services, institutions and programmes are needed for 
children, youth and elderly
z z describe the aspects involved in management of institutions and 
programmes
z z discuss the knowledge base and skills set required to manage and 
run institutions and programmes
z z become aware of the career opportunities available in this ??eld.
Significance 
Family is the basic unit of the society and one of its chief functions is 
to look after the needs of its members. The members in a family could 
include parents, their children of various ages and the grandparents. The 
composition of the family will vary from one household to another but at 
Management of Support 
Services, Institutions and 
Programmes for Children, 
Youth and Elderly
Chapters.indd   116 8/12/2022   3:28:53 PM
2024-25
Unit III - Human Development And 
Family Studies
117
different stages in its life cycle, the family has different composition and the 
members together try to meet each others’ needs. However, a family cannot 
always provide all the specialised services that are needed for the optimal 
growth and development of its members. For example, young children 
need formal education; all the members need health care. Therefore, each 
community creates other structures like schools, hospitals, universities, 
recreation centres, training centres which provide specialised services or 
support services which can be accessed by different members of the family 
to meet their needs. 
Generally a family, along with other structures of the society like 
schools, hospitals etc., is expected to meet the needs of its members. 
However many families in our country are unable to meet even the basic 
needs of their members and/or access as well as utilise the various services 
provided by other structures of the society due to various reasons, one of 
them being lack of resources, especially ??nancial. See the box given below 
for some pertinent details in this regard. Further, many children, youth 
and elderly are separated from their families and are left to cope on their 
own. By themselves, they ??nd it dif??cult to meet their own needs. 
z z Poverty in India is widespread, with the nation estimated to 
have a third of the world’s poor.
z z According to the Planning Commission of India, in 2011–2012, 
29.5 per cent of the population was living below the national 
poverty line.
z z Less than 30 per cent of our population has access to adequate 
sanitation facilities.
z z Less than half of all deliveries in a year are conducted by trained 
birth attendants, which is a cause of high maternal and infant 
mortality and morbidity.
z z Less than half the country’s households consume iodised salt. 
Lack of iodine adversely affects mental and physical growth of 
the child. 
z z Pervasive discrimination against girls and women, which is 
re??ected in a range of adverse indicators, including nutritional 
and educational outcomes, and the declining ratio of girls to 
boys, particularly in the youngest age group, are matters of 
concern.
Chapters.indd   117 8/12/2022   3:28:53 PM
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Page 3


116
Chapter
7
Learning Objectives
After completing this section the learner will be able to:
z z explain why services, institutions and programmes are needed for 
children, youth and elderly
z z describe the aspects involved in management of institutions and 
programmes
z z discuss the knowledge base and skills set required to manage and 
run institutions and programmes
z z become aware of the career opportunities available in this ??eld.
Significance 
Family is the basic unit of the society and one of its chief functions is 
to look after the needs of its members. The members in a family could 
include parents, their children of various ages and the grandparents. The 
composition of the family will vary from one household to another but at 
Management of Support 
Services, Institutions and 
Programmes for Children, 
Youth and Elderly
Chapters.indd   116 8/12/2022   3:28:53 PM
2024-25
Unit III - Human Development And 
Family Studies
117
different stages in its life cycle, the family has different composition and the 
members together try to meet each others’ needs. However, a family cannot 
always provide all the specialised services that are needed for the optimal 
growth and development of its members. For example, young children 
need formal education; all the members need health care. Therefore, each 
community creates other structures like schools, hospitals, universities, 
recreation centres, training centres which provide specialised services or 
support services which can be accessed by different members of the family 
to meet their needs. 
Generally a family, along with other structures of the society like 
schools, hospitals etc., is expected to meet the needs of its members. 
However many families in our country are unable to meet even the basic 
needs of their members and/or access as well as utilise the various services 
provided by other structures of the society due to various reasons, one of 
them being lack of resources, especially ??nancial. See the box given below 
for some pertinent details in this regard. Further, many children, youth 
and elderly are separated from their families and are left to cope on their 
own. By themselves, they ??nd it dif??cult to meet their own needs. 
z z Poverty in India is widespread, with the nation estimated to 
have a third of the world’s poor.
z z According to the Planning Commission of India, in 2011–2012, 
29.5 per cent of the population was living below the national 
poverty line.
z z Less than 30 per cent of our population has access to adequate 
sanitation facilities.
z z Less than half of all deliveries in a year are conducted by trained 
birth attendants, which is a cause of high maternal and infant 
mortality and morbidity.
z z Less than half the country’s households consume iodised salt. 
Lack of iodine adversely affects mental and physical growth of 
the child. 
z z Pervasive discrimination against girls and women, which is 
re??ected in a range of adverse indicators, including nutritional 
and educational outcomes, and the declining ratio of girls to 
boys, particularly in the youngest age group, are matters of 
concern.
Chapters.indd   117 8/12/2022   3:28:53 PM
2024-25
118
Human Ecology and Family Sciences – Part 1
For such families, or the members who are in challenging and dif??cult 
circumstances, the state/society has to step in and make efforts to look 
after the needs of its members. This is because it is the responsibility of the 
government and society to ensure that all citizens have a decent life, and 
children and youth have opportunities for holistic development in a healthy 
and stimulating environment. One of the ways in which the government 
responds to the needs of those who are in dif??cult circumstances, is 
by setting up institutions and initiating programmes dedicated to the 
children, youth and the elderly. It also provides support to the efforts of 
the private sector and/or the NGO sector. Some of these institutions and 
programmes may focus on meeting speci??c needs while some programmes 
adopt a holistic perspective and provide intervention and services to meet 
various needs of the individuals together. The latter approach stems from 
the philosophy that all the needs of the individual must be met together to 
have optimal impact.
Basic Concepts 
Why are we focussing more on children, youth and elderly?  This is 
because these are ‘vulnerable’ groups in our society. What do we mean by 
‘vulnerable’? The word ‘vulnerable’ refers to those persons / groups in a 
society, who are more likely to be affected by adverse circumstances and 
on whom adverse circumstances are likely to have a more harmful impact. 
What makes children, youth and elderly vulnerable? This can be answered 
by understanding the needs of these groups. If the needs of any individual 
are not met in the course of daily life, that person becomes vulnerable.  
Activity 1
Form three groups in the class and on the basis of what you learned 
in Class XI, list the needs of (i) Children, (ii) Youth, (iii) Elderly. Try 
to list (at least 5-8) of the special characteristic needs for each group. 
A group leader should then present the list of each group to the rest 
of the class.
Why are Children Vulnerable?
Children are vulnerable because childhood is a period of rapid development 
in all domains, and development in one area in??uences development in all 
others. In order for the child to grow optimally in all areas, it is important 
Chapters.indd   118 8/12/2022   3:28:53 PM
2024-25
Page 4


116
Chapter
7
Learning Objectives
After completing this section the learner will be able to:
z z explain why services, institutions and programmes are needed for 
children, youth and elderly
z z describe the aspects involved in management of institutions and 
programmes
z z discuss the knowledge base and skills set required to manage and 
run institutions and programmes
z z become aware of the career opportunities available in this ??eld.
Significance 
Family is the basic unit of the society and one of its chief functions is 
to look after the needs of its members. The members in a family could 
include parents, their children of various ages and the grandparents. The 
composition of the family will vary from one household to another but at 
Management of Support 
Services, Institutions and 
Programmes for Children, 
Youth and Elderly
Chapters.indd   116 8/12/2022   3:28:53 PM
2024-25
Unit III - Human Development And 
Family Studies
117
different stages in its life cycle, the family has different composition and the 
members together try to meet each others’ needs. However, a family cannot 
always provide all the specialised services that are needed for the optimal 
growth and development of its members. For example, young children 
need formal education; all the members need health care. Therefore, each 
community creates other structures like schools, hospitals, universities, 
recreation centres, training centres which provide specialised services or 
support services which can be accessed by different members of the family 
to meet their needs. 
Generally a family, along with other structures of the society like 
schools, hospitals etc., is expected to meet the needs of its members. 
However many families in our country are unable to meet even the basic 
needs of their members and/or access as well as utilise the various services 
provided by other structures of the society due to various reasons, one of 
them being lack of resources, especially ??nancial. See the box given below 
for some pertinent details in this regard. Further, many children, youth 
and elderly are separated from their families and are left to cope on their 
own. By themselves, they ??nd it dif??cult to meet their own needs. 
z z Poverty in India is widespread, with the nation estimated to 
have a third of the world’s poor.
z z According to the Planning Commission of India, in 2011–2012, 
29.5 per cent of the population was living below the national 
poverty line.
z z Less than 30 per cent of our population has access to adequate 
sanitation facilities.
z z Less than half of all deliveries in a year are conducted by trained 
birth attendants, which is a cause of high maternal and infant 
mortality and morbidity.
z z Less than half the country’s households consume iodised salt. 
Lack of iodine adversely affects mental and physical growth of 
the child. 
z z Pervasive discrimination against girls and women, which is 
re??ected in a range of adverse indicators, including nutritional 
and educational outcomes, and the declining ratio of girls to 
boys, particularly in the youngest age group, are matters of 
concern.
Chapters.indd   117 8/12/2022   3:28:53 PM
2024-25
118
Human Ecology and Family Sciences – Part 1
For such families, or the members who are in challenging and dif??cult 
circumstances, the state/society has to step in and make efforts to look 
after the needs of its members. This is because it is the responsibility of the 
government and society to ensure that all citizens have a decent life, and 
children and youth have opportunities for holistic development in a healthy 
and stimulating environment. One of the ways in which the government 
responds to the needs of those who are in dif??cult circumstances, is 
by setting up institutions and initiating programmes dedicated to the 
children, youth and the elderly. It also provides support to the efforts of 
the private sector and/or the NGO sector. Some of these institutions and 
programmes may focus on meeting speci??c needs while some programmes 
adopt a holistic perspective and provide intervention and services to meet 
various needs of the individuals together. The latter approach stems from 
the philosophy that all the needs of the individual must be met together to 
have optimal impact.
Basic Concepts 
Why are we focussing more on children, youth and elderly?  This is 
because these are ‘vulnerable’ groups in our society. What do we mean by 
‘vulnerable’? The word ‘vulnerable’ refers to those persons / groups in a 
society, who are more likely to be affected by adverse circumstances and 
on whom adverse circumstances are likely to have a more harmful impact. 
What makes children, youth and elderly vulnerable? This can be answered 
by understanding the needs of these groups. If the needs of any individual 
are not met in the course of daily life, that person becomes vulnerable.  
Activity 1
Form three groups in the class and on the basis of what you learned 
in Class XI, list the needs of (i) Children, (ii) Youth, (iii) Elderly. Try 
to list (at least 5-8) of the special characteristic needs for each group. 
A group leader should then present the list of each group to the rest 
of the class.
Why are Children Vulnerable?
Children are vulnerable because childhood is a period of rapid development 
in all domains, and development in one area in??uences development in all 
others. In order for the child to grow optimally in all areas, it is important 
Chapters.indd   118 8/12/2022   3:28:53 PM
2024-25
Unit III - Human Development And 
Family Studies
119
that the child’s needs for food, shelter, health care, love, nurturance and 
stimulation be met in a holistic manner. Adverse experiences can have a 
lasting impact on the child’s development. 
All children are vulnerable, but some are more vulnerable than others. 
These are the children who are living in such challenging conditions and 
dif??cult circumstances that their basic needs of food, health, care and 
nurturance are not met and this prevents them from developing their full 
potential.
Box given below clearly highlights that the needs of a large proportion of 
child population are not met.
z z Nearly two–thirds of children under ??ve years of age suffer 
from moderate or severe malnutrition. Malnutrition affects 
development in all areas. 
z z About 3 million children live on the streets without any shelter. 
z z Only one in three children of the pre-school age has the 
opportunity to be in an early learning programme. 
z z Less than half of India’s children between ages 6 and 14 years 
go to school. 
z z A little over one-third of all children who enrol in Standard I 
reach Standard VIII. The others drop out of school for one or 
the other reason.
z z 17 million children in India work, as per of??cial estimates. The 
actual numbers may be even more. According to the World 
Bank the number may be 44 million.
All children in dif??cult circumstances need care and protection but 
some may violate the law or be involved in anti-social activities. The   
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 is the ??rst 
legal framework for juvenile justice in India. The Act concerns itself with 
two categories of children: those who are “in con??ict with law” and those 
considered to be “in need of care and protection.” Children “in con??ict with 
law” (also called juvenile delinquents)  are those who have been caught 
by the police for violating the Indian penal code. In other words, they are 
arrested by the police because they have committed/ are accused of a 
crime. The Act provides for a special approach towards the prevention 
and treatment of juvenile delinquency and provides a framework for the 
Chapters.indd   119 8/12/2022   3:28:53 PM
2024-25
Page 5


116
Chapter
7
Learning Objectives
After completing this section the learner will be able to:
z z explain why services, institutions and programmes are needed for 
children, youth and elderly
z z describe the aspects involved in management of institutions and 
programmes
z z discuss the knowledge base and skills set required to manage and 
run institutions and programmes
z z become aware of the career opportunities available in this ??eld.
Significance 
Family is the basic unit of the society and one of its chief functions is 
to look after the needs of its members. The members in a family could 
include parents, their children of various ages and the grandparents. The 
composition of the family will vary from one household to another but at 
Management of Support 
Services, Institutions and 
Programmes for Children, 
Youth and Elderly
Chapters.indd   116 8/12/2022   3:28:53 PM
2024-25
Unit III - Human Development And 
Family Studies
117
different stages in its life cycle, the family has different composition and the 
members together try to meet each others’ needs. However, a family cannot 
always provide all the specialised services that are needed for the optimal 
growth and development of its members. For example, young children 
need formal education; all the members need health care. Therefore, each 
community creates other structures like schools, hospitals, universities, 
recreation centres, training centres which provide specialised services or 
support services which can be accessed by different members of the family 
to meet their needs. 
Generally a family, along with other structures of the society like 
schools, hospitals etc., is expected to meet the needs of its members. 
However many families in our country are unable to meet even the basic 
needs of their members and/or access as well as utilise the various services 
provided by other structures of the society due to various reasons, one of 
them being lack of resources, especially ??nancial. See the box given below 
for some pertinent details in this regard. Further, many children, youth 
and elderly are separated from their families and are left to cope on their 
own. By themselves, they ??nd it dif??cult to meet their own needs. 
z z Poverty in India is widespread, with the nation estimated to 
have a third of the world’s poor.
z z According to the Planning Commission of India, in 2011–2012, 
29.5 per cent of the population was living below the national 
poverty line.
z z Less than 30 per cent of our population has access to adequate 
sanitation facilities.
z z Less than half of all deliveries in a year are conducted by trained 
birth attendants, which is a cause of high maternal and infant 
mortality and morbidity.
z z Less than half the country’s households consume iodised salt. 
Lack of iodine adversely affects mental and physical growth of 
the child. 
z z Pervasive discrimination against girls and women, which is 
re??ected in a range of adverse indicators, including nutritional 
and educational outcomes, and the declining ratio of girls to 
boys, particularly in the youngest age group, are matters of 
concern.
Chapters.indd   117 8/12/2022   3:28:53 PM
2024-25
118
Human Ecology and Family Sciences – Part 1
For such families, or the members who are in challenging and dif??cult 
circumstances, the state/society has to step in and make efforts to look 
after the needs of its members. This is because it is the responsibility of the 
government and society to ensure that all citizens have a decent life, and 
children and youth have opportunities for holistic development in a healthy 
and stimulating environment. One of the ways in which the government 
responds to the needs of those who are in dif??cult circumstances, is 
by setting up institutions and initiating programmes dedicated to the 
children, youth and the elderly. It also provides support to the efforts of 
the private sector and/or the NGO sector. Some of these institutions and 
programmes may focus on meeting speci??c needs while some programmes 
adopt a holistic perspective and provide intervention and services to meet 
various needs of the individuals together. The latter approach stems from 
the philosophy that all the needs of the individual must be met together to 
have optimal impact.
Basic Concepts 
Why are we focussing more on children, youth and elderly?  This is 
because these are ‘vulnerable’ groups in our society. What do we mean by 
‘vulnerable’? The word ‘vulnerable’ refers to those persons / groups in a 
society, who are more likely to be affected by adverse circumstances and 
on whom adverse circumstances are likely to have a more harmful impact. 
What makes children, youth and elderly vulnerable? This can be answered 
by understanding the needs of these groups. If the needs of any individual 
are not met in the course of daily life, that person becomes vulnerable.  
Activity 1
Form three groups in the class and on the basis of what you learned 
in Class XI, list the needs of (i) Children, (ii) Youth, (iii) Elderly. Try 
to list (at least 5-8) of the special characteristic needs for each group. 
A group leader should then present the list of each group to the rest 
of the class.
Why are Children Vulnerable?
Children are vulnerable because childhood is a period of rapid development 
in all domains, and development in one area in??uences development in all 
others. In order for the child to grow optimally in all areas, it is important 
Chapters.indd   118 8/12/2022   3:28:53 PM
2024-25
Unit III - Human Development And 
Family Studies
119
that the child’s needs for food, shelter, health care, love, nurturance and 
stimulation be met in a holistic manner. Adverse experiences can have a 
lasting impact on the child’s development. 
All children are vulnerable, but some are more vulnerable than others. 
These are the children who are living in such challenging conditions and 
dif??cult circumstances that their basic needs of food, health, care and 
nurturance are not met and this prevents them from developing their full 
potential.
Box given below clearly highlights that the needs of a large proportion of 
child population are not met.
z z Nearly two–thirds of children under ??ve years of age suffer 
from moderate or severe malnutrition. Malnutrition affects 
development in all areas. 
z z About 3 million children live on the streets without any shelter. 
z z Only one in three children of the pre-school age has the 
opportunity to be in an early learning programme. 
z z Less than half of India’s children between ages 6 and 14 years 
go to school. 
z z A little over one-third of all children who enrol in Standard I 
reach Standard VIII. The others drop out of school for one or 
the other reason.
z z 17 million children in India work, as per of??cial estimates. The 
actual numbers may be even more. According to the World 
Bank the number may be 44 million.
All children in dif??cult circumstances need care and protection but 
some may violate the law or be involved in anti-social activities. The   
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 is the ??rst 
legal framework for juvenile justice in India. The Act concerns itself with 
two categories of children: those who are “in con??ict with law” and those 
considered to be “in need of care and protection.” Children “in con??ict with 
law” (also called juvenile delinquents)  are those who have been caught 
by the police for violating the Indian penal code. In other words, they are 
arrested by the police because they have committed/ are accused of a 
crime. The Act provides for a special approach towards the prevention 
and treatment of juvenile delinquency and provides a framework for the 
Chapters.indd   119 8/12/2022   3:28:53 PM
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120
Human Ecology and Family Sciences – Part 1
protection, treatment and rehabilitation of children. It relates to ‘juveniles 
in con??ict 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. This Act is in 
compliance with the Child Rights Convention and the identi??ed children 
in need of care and protection are those: 
z z who are without any home or settled place or abode or without any 
means of sustenance. This includes abandoned children, street 
children, runaway children and missing children;
z z who live with a person (guardian or not) who is un??t to exercise 
control over the child or where there is a chance of the child being 
killed, abused or neglected by the person;
z z who are mentally or physically challenged, ill or suffering from terminal 
illness or incurable disease and have no one who can support or look 
after them;  
z z who are abused, tortured or exploited for purpose of sexual abuse or 
illegal acts;
z z who are vulnerable to being inducted into drug abuse or traf??cking;
z z who are victims of armed con??ict, civil commotion, or natural calamity;
z z who are likely to be abused for unconscionable gain. These include 
abandoned, orphaned, traf??cked minors rescued from red-light area, 
child labourers rescued from factories, lost, runaways, special needs 
children and children of prisoners.
Institutions, Programmes and Initiatives for Children
There are several programmes and services operating in the country to 
meet the needs of vulnerable children. Here we shall brie??y describe 
some signi??cant initiatives and efforts in order to acquaint you with the 
various activities carried out by the government and the non-governmental 
organisations.
z z Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) of the Government of 
India. It is the world’s largest early childhood programme which  
aims to meet the health, nutrition, stimulation and early learning / 
education needs of children below six years of age in an integrated 
manner so as to foster their development. The programme offers 
health, nutrition and hygiene education to mothers, non-formal  
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