An Investigation into The National Child Helpline 116 Case Management Process in Ensuring Child Safety Upon Reintegration

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Date

2015-06

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Daystar University, School of Applied Human Sciences

Abstract

Child helplines receive reports of child maltreatment. They offer counseling services and provide information on child protection. They also refer children for specialized services to a network of partners and the safety of the child in the case management process may not be guaranteed. In Kenya the National Child Helpline 116 service is accessible countrywide by dialing 116 from all telephone networks. This study sought to identify the key stages used by the Helpline Service in managing cases involving children up to reintegration and the key services relevant in resolving these cases. It also proposed ways in which the child helpline service could improve its case management structures to guarantee safety to children whose cases are at various stages of resolution. Data was gathered from key informants who formed part of the referral network of the National Child Helpline 116 and who offered services to children. A total of 58 respondents were interviewed and the data analyzed on excel using graphs, tables and descriptions. The findings revealed that the referral partners have varied understanding of the case management process. Secondly, out of all the cases of child abuse from Nairobi County that were reported between 2010 and 2014 about 36 percent resulted in rescue and 1759 children had been reintegrated. It is recommended that the case management process be coordinated by a government institution for accountability in the best interest of the child throughout the process.

Description

MASTER OF ARTS in Child Development

Keywords

Child helplines, child maltreatment, child protection, reintegration and the key services

Citation

Sunda, M. K. (2015). An Investigation into The National Child Helpline 116 Case Management Process in Ensuring Child Safety Upon Reintegration. Daystar University, School of Applied Human Sciences