Social Worker at the Juvenile Justice Clinic, NLSIU Bengaluru (1 Vacancy, Full-time Contractual)

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru has issued a call for applications for one full-time contractual position of Social Worker with its Juvenile Justice Clinic. The appointment is for a period of one year, extendable based on performance, and the role is based out of the NLSIU Bengaluru campus at Nagarbhavi. The call was published on the University's News and Events page on 5 August 2026.

Established in 2021, the Juvenile Justice Clinic delivers direct legal aid and clinical support to children under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, working with both Children in Conflict with Law (CiCL) and Children in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP). The Clinic is headed by Dr. Madhubanti Sadhya and Ms. Amaidhi Devaraj.

The Clinic's core fieldwork is anchored at a dedicated legal aid Helpdesk within the Government Observation Home in Madiwala, Bengaluru, where clinic staff provide sustained on-ground legal representation and psychosocial support to children in conflict with law. This includes case tracking, assistance with bail and disposition proceedings before the Juvenile Justice Board, liaison with probation officers and legal aid counsel, and follow-up on rehabilitation and reintegration plans after release.

Building on the Helpdesk, the Clinic is expanding its fieldwork to reach children in need of care and protection, extending legal aid and case support to children referred through Child Welfare Committees, shelter homes and allied child protection institutions across Bengaluru. That work involves case documentation, coordination with District Child Protection Units, and support through inquiry and rehabilitation processes under the Act.

The Clinic's legal aid extends across the forums before which children's matters are adjudicated, including the Juvenile Justice Board, the Child Welfare Committee, Sessions Courts and the High Court, covering drafting and filing of applications, bail petitions and appeals, representation at inquiry and hearing stages, and continuous follow-up on case status. Beyond casework, the Clinic runs structured capacity-building trainings for police, judiciary and child protection functionaries, and carries out field-based research and advocacy on systemic gaps in implementation.

The Social Worker will be responsible for anchoring the psychosocial activities of the Juvenile Justice Clinic Project and will report to the Clinic Co-Directors.

• Overseeing the psychosocial services provided to children through the Helpdesk at the Observation Home, Madiwala
• Reviewing and improving the quality of reports (Social Investigation Reports, Individual Care Plans, counselling reports) created for children in conflict with the law as mandated by the Juvenile Justice Act
• Building institutional capacities for social work interventions within the Observation Home
• Anchoring awareness and outreach programmes for children and families, both within the Observation Home and in vulnerable community settings
• Coordinating partnerships with other civil society organisations, NGOs and institutions working in the Observation Home
• Supporting the team in preparing, organising and conducting training programmes, workshops and conferences
• Ensuring timely preparation of progress notes, social investigation reports and individual care plans for children in conflict with law
• Supporting the follow-up and rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law
• Attending state and national meetings, consultations and conferences

• Master's Degree in Social Work or allied fields from a recognised University
• Minimum of three (03) years of experience working directly with vulnerable children or communities
• Background in child rights or human rights
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English
• Demonstrated proficiency in speaking Kannada (mandatory); reading and writing Kannada is desired
• Proficiency in the use of G-Suite, MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Google Workspace

• Familiarity with statutory child protection frameworks, including the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
• Experience in psychosocial support or case management for children in vulnerable situations
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team, with strong attention to detail and self-motivation
• Capacity to connect with vulnerable children through empathy, trust and meaningful rapport-building

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications, experience and University norms; the University has not published a fixed figure. The engagement is full-time and contractual for one year, extendable based on performance, and is based at the NLSIU campus in Bengaluru with fieldwork at the Government Observation Home, Madiwala.

Applications are accepted only through the Google form linked by NLSIU. Applicants must include the following:

• An updated curriculum vitae
• A Statement of Purpose of 500 to 800 words explaining the applicant's interest in the position and relevant experience
• Names, designations and contact details of two professional or academic referees

The last date for submission of applications is 19 August 2026 at 5:00 PM IST. Queries regarding the position may be sent to recruitment@nls.ac.in.