The State Department is mandated to safeguard and strengthen families as the foundation of society while promoting the welfare, rights, and social development of children. This includes formulating and administering family protection policies, enforcing children’s right to parental care, and protecting them from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, violence, exploitation, and other violations. It also ensures access to essential services such as nutrition, education, and psychosocial support through cross-sectoral collaboration with the Ministries of Health, Education, and Interior, as well as fostering early learning opportunities and inclusive programmes for children with disabilities.

In addition, the State Department is tasked with regulating and supporting alternative care systems, rehabilitating street families, combating trafficking, and providing legal and rehabilitative services for children in conflict with the law. It further oversees childcare institutions, promotes strong family values through media regulation, and fosters partnerships with public, private, and community organizations to strengthen child welfare services. Through the administration of the Children Act, the National Programme for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, and international reporting obligations, the State Department advances accountability and alignment with global child rights frameworks, ensuring that all children and families live in dignity and safety.

SDCS has eight (8) regional, forty-seven (47) County and Four hundred and seven (407) Sub County offices countrywide that provide essential services to children. Child protection volunteers also support child protection in villages. 

The State Department manages Statutory Institutions for Children, including Fourteen (14) Remand Homes, five (5) Rescue Children ‘s Centres, Nine (9) Rehabilitation Schools two (2) Reception and Classification Centres and One (1) Child Helpline 116.