Children’s Aid Society (CAS)
What is the Children’s Aid Society?
The Children’s Aid Society (CAS) is a semi-government organisation that oversees Observation Homes and Children’s Homes in Mumbai. CAS currently manages eight institutions, including the Dongri Observation Home. These include the Matunga David Sassoon Industrial Home, Chembur Children’s Home, Bal Kalyan Nagari, Additional Children’s Home, New Children’s Home, MDC Home, and an Industrial Training Institute (ITI).
Working with CAS: A Systems Level Engagement
The Children’s Aid Society was established on 16 March 1927. March 2026 to March 2027 marks the organisation’s centenary year.
During this milestone year, Seedling Foundation has been given the opportunity to support CAS in strengthening its systems and processes. Based on our work at the Dongri Observation Home, the leadership at CAS, led by Mr. Pravin Bhavsar, invited us to work together on areas such as improving organizational processes, supporting staff development, and helping build greater awareness and understanding of the work being done by CAS.
Our engagement focuses on supporting processes and structures that contribute to better outcomes for children across all eight Homes. This includes areas such as ideation, implementation support, improving processes, digitisation, and partnership building.
Rather than providing direct services to children, our role is to support and improve the systems that shape their care, rehabilitation, and overall well-being.
Why This Work Matters
The quality of care and rehabilitation that children receive is shaped by the institutions, people, and processes that support them. Strong documentation practices, well-supported staff, effective partnerships, positive environments, and efficient systems all play an important role in ensuring that children receive consistent and meaningful support.
By contributing to these areas, we hope to strengthen the foundations that enable child care institutions to better serve children and young people over the long term.
Our Areas of Focus
Our work with CAS includes supporting efforts across the following areas:
Institutional Strengthening
- Streamlining and optimizing organisational processes
- Improving documentation and record-keeping methodology
- Supporting digitisation initiatives across Homes
- Consolidating efforts across NGOs and other stakeholder
Staff Capacity Building
- Working closely with staff teams
- Facilitating exposure visits and learning opportunities
- Supporting mindset shifts towards child-centred practices
- Encouraging continuous upskilling and professional development
Partnerships and Community Engagement
- Deepening partnerships and donor engagement
- Supporting centenary year events and mobilisation efforts
- Building greater awareness and understanding within society about child care institutions
Improving the Care Environment
- Supporting better rehabilitation pathways for children
- Contributing towards creating positive and child-friendly spaces
- Encouraging a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
We are grateful for this opportunity to contribute meaningfully towards enhancing systems within CAS during this landmark year. We hope that these efforts will support sustainable improvements in institutional practices and enhance the care and opportunities available to children across the Homes.
100th Year of CAS: A Landmark Year
The 100th year of CAS is an opportunity to look back at its long journey and also think about the future. It is a chance to strengthen existing processes, build on the work already being done, and reaffirm the commitment to the care, protection, and rehabilitation of children.
The leadership of CAS has demonstrated openness and commitment towards driving positive change across its Homes, making this an important period for institutional growth and transformation.
Centenary Year Resources
As part of the centenary celebrations, a range of resources have been developed to communicate the vision and journey of CAS:
Manifesto: A concise document outlining the vision, intent, and aspirations for the centenary year.
Presentation: A visual narrative tracing the history, evolution, and future direction of CAS.
Brochure: A detailed publication providing background information about CAS and an overview of each Home under its care.
History of CAS
On 16 March 2027, Children’s Aid Society will complete 100 years! CAS was established on 16 March 1927 by the Bombay Presidency (then British India) to implement the Juvenile Justice system under the Bombay Children Act, 1924.
Over the decades, it has been visited by national leaders such as India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Several prominent public figures have also served on its managing bodies. In 1983-84, CAS received the prestigious national award for ‘Best Child Welfare Institution’ from the then Hon’ble President of India, Dr. Giani Zail Singh.
Over time, CAS has grown to be regarded as one of Asia’s largest child welfare organizations. Since its inception, CAS has provided care and support to over a million children through its residential homes (Child Care Institutions) and educational institutes across Mumbai.
On 1 May 2027, Dongri Observation Home will also complete 100 years. Historically, this facility was once Dongri Jail, where prominent Indian freedom fighters such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Veer Savarkar, and Gopal Ganesh Agarkar were imprisoned during British rule. In 1927, the premises were converted into an Observation Home under the Children’s Aid Society, marking a significant transformation from incarceration to child welfare and rehabilitation.