Mandate

The Department came into existence in 2017 during the restructuring and rebranding of the Directorate, with the following core mandate/sections:

• Child Protection in Emergency Situations
• Coordinate toll-free National Child Helpline 116
• Spearheading Case Management for Child Protection
• Strengthening access to Justice for Children
• Coordinate Child Protection Centers
• Monitor Child Protection Units in the Police Stations

Departmental Section

1.    Child Protection in Emergencies Section

• It coordinates service provision to children in emergencies including floods, drought, epidemics and rescue of children at risk
• The Section is a member in Kenya National Food Security Working Group
• Routine monitoring on the 23 ASAL counties is done
• Officers in 23 ASAL counties have been trained and hold quarterly meetings
• Child Protection in Emergency (CPiE) guidelines have been developed

2.    The National Child Helpline – 116 section
It started in 2006 as a crisis centre based at Nyayo house. 

• The National Child Helpline 116 is a 24-hour national toll free line located in Kabete and Eldoret.
• Responding to inquiries on Child protection and Advisory services
• The facility handles about 100,000 cases per year
• Telephone counselling services
• Effective case referral, and tracking
• CHATBOT for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for children is operational

3.    Case Management for Child Protection section

• It supports coordination and standardization of children in need of care and protection for both state and non-state Actors
• Capacity building for Child Protection Actors

4.    Access to justice for children section

• It coordinates access to justice for children
• Works with judicial structures/NCAJ and capacity building of Children Officers on Court related matters

5.    Child Protection Centers/Model Children’s Office

• Provides mechanism where all Child Protection Services are to be offered under one roof
• The staffing is to include Children Officers, Social Worker, resident Legal Officer, a Medical Officer, a Driver among others
• 6 such facilities had been launched in Nairobi, Nakuru, Garissa, Kilifi, Siaya and Kakamega
• It is still at formative stages