OBJECTIVES

• To ensure that the best interests of the child are secured.
• To create a family of NGOs and Government organisations working within the framework of a national policy and vision for children.
• To ensure that every child who is vulnerable, neglected, and exploited has access to Childline.
• To facilitate networking amongst organisations and allied/support systems for long-term rehabilitation of children.
• To sensitise allied systems regarding child rights, and promote a child-friendly attitude.

BACKGROUND AND PROGRAMME SETTING
The concept of Childline as a service was evolved as a means by which children could ask for assistance when faced with difficult situations. In 1996, the Childline service was started as a field action project of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Two years later, at a workshop, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment decided to support the replication of Childline across the country in a phased manner. The Ministry appointed Childline India Foundation for that purpose. It is a project of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (GOI) and works in partnership with NGOs, UNICEF and the corporate sector. Its functions include monitoring of the service, finance, training, research and documentation, awareness, and advocacy. Today, Childline operates in 50 cities.

SCOPE
Serves any child (0-18 years) in need of assistance irrespective of class, caste, or religion.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

• A national 24-hours service: Childline is accessible at all times.
• 24-hours emergency service
• Free calls: Any child/concerned adult can call 1098 free of charge.
• Outreach service: Childline reaches out to any child who dials 1098.
• Links children: Childline provides emergency assistance and then refers the child to other organisations.

MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Strategy

• To reach out to a large number of children in distress through the phone line, open house, and awareness programmes.

Capacity-Building

• Training programmes are organised by the nodal agency or CIF from time to time.
• Trainings are also organised for volunteers from among the street children.
• The allied systems are sensitised and trained on various issues relating to child rights and protection.

Mobilising Resources
In addition to mobilising the community as a whole through awareness campaigns about Child Line, the government infrastructure that includes the police, hospitals, and schools are mobilised so that they are involved in providing care, protection, and restoration of the child in the family.

Managerial Leadership

• A nodal organisation, the CLPOA functions at the city level. The collaborative organisation (CINI ASHA) receives and attends to the calls. The support organisation deals with cases and provides necessary help to the collaborative organisation in terms of call interventions from time to time.
• The CINI ASHA works with volunteers and team members receiving and attending calls monitored by a Coordinator. Subsequently, the Coordinator reports to the Programme Officer of the Child Protection Unit.

EVALUATION FINDINGS

• There is a tremendous need for more awareness programmes as this has been severely restricted by fund constraints.
• The ability to generate funds is hampered by time and manpower constraints.
• The types of people who have been recruited as team members do not have the ability to raise funds.