1,355 kids at 2 govt-run homes in city benefit from counselling

As per the data available with the Directorate of Social Defence, 485 girls have been benefited from about 322 counselling sessions conducted between January to December last year.

In case of the boys, 638 of them attached with the reception unit in Royapuram benefited from the counselling sessions held since April 2019 to December 2019. Meanwhile, 32 boys were benefited in the past two months alone.

Senior officials of the Directorate of Social Defence said that counselling sessions with the help of part-time counsellors, government psychologists and non-governmental organisations are being conducted for the children in 1,183 childcare institutions across the State. Of which, 36 are State-run institutions.

The officials said that skill development programmes are being conducted for the children at childcare institutions in the city. According to data obtained, organic gardening has proven to be beneficial for about 100 children, while relaxation therapy and life skills training by NGOs has benefited about 90 children of the girls’ home.

As per the coordinators of the skill development programme, life skills training is being supported by the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Programme. Various activities, including tailoring and basic computer skills, are being given to the girls, while training in plumbing, electrician works, air-conditioner servicing is being given to boys.