Specialised agencies are the operational bodies that carry out law enforcement, protection, care, rehabilitation, regulation, and oversight functions related to children.
Specialised agencies are:
Police officers must know which agency to involve, depending on the nature of the case.
These agencies deal with law enforcement, custody, supervision, and justice processes involving children.
| Agency | Core Role |
|---|---|
| Sindh Police | First contact; safety, FIR registration, investigation, referral and coordination |
| Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) | Investigation of federal crimes involving children, including trafficking, cybercrime and cross-border offences |
| Prisons & Corrections Service (Sindh) | Custody and management of detainees; must ensure separation and safeguards for juveniles |
| Probation & Parole Department | Supervision, social investigation and rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law under JJSA |
| Juvenile Courts | Adjudication of cases involving children alleged or accused of offences |
These agencies are responsible for care, protection, shelter, rehabilitation and social support for children and vulnerable families.
| Agency | Core Role |
|---|---|
| Sindh Child Protection Authority (SCPA) | Lead statutory authority for children in need of care and protection; case management, rescue coordination, referral, rehabilitation and reintegration |
| Directorate of Social Welfare (Sindh) | Management and oversight of welfare institutions, shelters, rehabilitation centres and social services |
| Shelter Homes / Welfare Homes | Care, protection and rehabilitation of children without safe guardians or family care |
| Sindh Social Protection Authority (SSPA) | Provincial coordination of social protection programmes and safety nets for vulnerable individuals and households |
| Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) | Federal social protection programme implementing cash transfer and support schemes in Sindh for poor and vulnerable households |
These entities regulate labour conditions, enforce child and bonded labour laws, and adjudicate labour-related offences.
| Entity | Core Role |
|---|---|
| District Labour Offices (DLOs) | Field-level enforcement through notified Labour Inspectors; conduct workplace inspections, identify violations of child labour and bonded labour laws, and coordinate with police during inspections and raids |
| Bonded Labour Vigilance Committees (District Level) | Statutory committees responsible for identification, release and rehabilitation of bonded labourers, including children, under the Sindh Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act |
| District Administration (Deputy Commissioner) | Leads and coordinates rescue operations, chairs or oversees Vigilance Committees, and ensures inter-departmental coordination |
| Labour Courts | Adjudicate offences and disputes under labour laws; hear cases related to violations, penalties and enforcement outcomes |
These agencies deal with schooling, re-enrolment and alternative education, especially for out-of-school children (OOSC).
| Agency | Core Role |
|---|---|
| Directorate of School Education | Management of government schools at district and provincial level |
| District Education Offices (DEO) | Local-level school administration and enrolment |
| Sindh Education Foundation (SEF) | Non-formal, alternative and community-based education for OOSC |
| Non-Formal Education Directorates / Units (where notified) |
These entities provide medical treatment, medico-legal examination, forensic documentation and mental health care to children who are victims of abuse, violence, neglect or exploitation.
| Agency | Core Role |
|---|---|
| Public Sector Hospitals (Teaching & District Hospitals) | Primary providers of emergency medical treatment, inpatient and outpatient care for injured, abused or neglected children |
| Medico-Legal Units (MLUs) / Medico-Legal Officers (MLOs) | Conduct medico-legal examinations, prepare injury and sexual assault reports, collect forensic samples, and provide legally admissible medical evidence |
| District Health Offices (DHOs) | Administrative oversight of health facilities at district level; facilitate coordination for referrals and continuity of care |
| Mental Health Units in Public Hospitals | Provision of psychological assessment, counselling and trauma-informed care for child victims |
| Forensic DNA & Toxicology Facilities (Provincial / Federal) | Laboratory analysis of forensic samples in serious abuse, sexual violence or poisoning cases (accessed through MLUs) |
These bodies provide oversight, monitoring, complaints handling and accountability in relation to human rights and child rights. They do not conduct criminal investigations or enforcement, but police actions may be reviewed, inquired into, or reported upon by these bodies.
| Agency | Core Role |
|---|---|
| Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) | Independent statutory body responsible for monitoring, investigating and reporting on human rights violations in Sindh, including violations of child rights; can inquire into police conduct, issue recommendations, and refer matters to competent authorities |
| Sindh Commission on the Status of Women (SCSW) | Oversight body focusing on gender-based discrimination and violence affecting women and girls; monitors laws, policies and practices and may examine police handling of cases involving girls |
| Ombudsman Sindh (Mohtasib) | Receives and decides complaints of maladministration by provincial government departments and public officials, including police; can issue findings and directions for corrective action |