Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) Child Rights Syllabus - Mumbai University
This is the syllabus of the College of Social Work (Empowered Autonomous), Nirmala Niketan, which is the only college offering the B.S.W. under the University of Mumbai. The college has been autonomous since 2019-20 and empowered autonomous since 2024-25, so it sets this syllabus and conducts these examinations itself, and the degree awarded is still a University of Mumbai degree. The University last set a common B.S.W. paper of its own in 2019; this is the current document, amended in June 2026.
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Syllabus for Child Rights
About this course
Children make up nearly 34% of India’s population, yet many remain deprived of their basic needs and rights. Despite India’s commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the gap between recognition and fulfillment of child rights persists. Child abuse is on the rise, and the number of street and working children continues to grow, highlighting the need for focused attention on child rights. This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of child rights within the broader human rights framework. Students will critically analyze the socio-economic and cultural vulnerabilities faced by children, equipping them with the knowledge to promote and protect child rights. By examining the systemic challenges, especially for marginalized children, students will develop a nuanced perspective on child protection and its role in achieving social justice. Upon completion, students will be prepared to advocate for policies and practices that ensure the well-being and rights of children in society.
Course objectives
- Develop understanding about social construction of Childhood and Child Protection Framework
- Critically analyze diverse systemic factors exacerbating vulnerabilities of children.
- Learn about Legal and Policy measures to respond to needs of children-at-risk.
- Recognize the role of social worker within the child protection domain.
Learning outcomes
- CO 201 Discuss child protection, focusing on safeguarding children from being at-risk and harm.
- CO 202 Analyze legal and policy framework of child protection and develop a thorough understanding about Child Protection mechanism
- CO 203 Apply skills for effectively engaging with child protection mechanisms at multiple levels.
- CO 204 Apply skills to engage with children across diverse settings and contexts.
Unit I: Social Construction of Childhood and Child Protection Framework
- Social Construction of Childhood
- Social UNCRC framework for child rights
- Child protection as safeguarding children from harm, at-risk children
- Continuum of Care- Gatekeeping and Family strengthening approach
- Situational analysis of child protection in India
Essential readings
- Mehta, N. (2015). Family Strengthening and Non- Institutional Alternative Care Approach to Child Protection, Mumbai: Family Service Centre
- Desai, M. (2011). A Rights-Based Preventive Approach for Psychosocial Well-being in Childhood. London: Springer
Unit II: Vulnerabilities of Children
- Children in need of Care and Protection
- Children in labour (including out-of-school children),
- Street children, child marriage,
- Child abuse and violence,
- Child victims of trafficking.
- Children with Disabilities
- Children of Prisoners
- Children in conflict with Law
- Media & Child Rights
Essential readings
- Bajpai, A. (2017). Child Rights in India. Delhi: OUP
- Parackal & Panicker, S. (2019). Children and Crime in India: Causes, Narratives and Interventions. Delhi: Springer
Unit III: Child Protection Legal and Policy Framework
- Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
- Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
- Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012
- The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
- The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018
- The Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994
- Child Protection Scheme - Mission Vatsalya Scheme - Victim Support Schemes- Manodhairya Scheme - Bal Sangopan Yojana
Essential readings
- Enfold (2021). Handbook for Support Persons: Assisting Child Victims of Sexual Abuse in the Context of POCSO. Bangalore: Enfold
- Kumari, V. (2011). Juvenile Justice System in India: From Welfare to Rights. New Delhi: OUP
- The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015
- Adoption FAQs by CARA
Unit IV: Child Protection Mechanism
- Government system (DWCD, CARA/SARA, District Child Protection Unit)
- NCPCR (National Commission for Protection of Child Rights) and SCPCR (State Commission for Protection of Child Rights)
- Alternative Care (CCIs),
- Adoption, foster care, sponsorship
- Role of Social Worker in Child Protection domain
- Role of Social Worker Engaging with the System
- Rescue, Repatriation
- Intervention of DCPU
Essential readings
- Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. (2018). The report of the committee for analyzing data of mapping and review exercise of child care institutions under the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and Other Homes, Vol. I (Main Report part 1). https://wcd.nic.in/node/2190742 Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD). (2020). Revised Integrated Child Protection Scheme.
- Government of India. http://cara.nic.in/PDF/revised%20ICPS %20scheme.pdf
Reproduced from Regulations and Syllabus of Bachelor of Social Work Degree (2023), Amended 2026, published by the College of Social Work (Empowered Autonomous), Nirmala Niketan, which is affiliated to the University of Mumbai and sets this syllabus itself. Wording is as printed in that document.
The complete syllabus
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