CRISISLINE

childlineadmin@xsinet.co.za

Childline Mpumalanga Crisisline provides free counselling and crisis intervention and offer our services to adults who need information or help regarding the children in their lives

CRISISLINE PROGRAMME

46% of the people living in Mpumalanga are children (in total 1 482 600 of 3 219 900 people in this Province according to statistics SA - July estimate 2005). These children experience high levels of poverty, violence, child abuse, domestic violence, HIV/Aids related problems, etc. on a daily basis. Because much the population is geographically isolated as well as socially and economically disadvantaged, they often lack direct access to social and other services.

With the successful establishment of the telephone-based Crisisline (0800 0 55555) in October 2003 we have been able to provide free counselling and crisis intervention as well as improved access to social services, police services, information and referral services to all children in Mpumalanga who can access a Telkom line. We also offer our services to adults who need information or help regarding the children in their lives.

All the calls received on the crisisline are monitored by the case manager. During the monthly supervisions with the Crisisline counsellors the needs of the children they have been counselling during that month are identified and relayed. The manager and director monitor the major issues that have been encountered on the line and provide additional subject trainings as appropriate.  This method of continuous monitoring and evaluation allows us to design the programs and educate the counsellors based on the specific needs the children we serve. 

All the calls received are logged onto the computerised on the database. The Crisisline case manager reads through all of the reports made by the counsellors on a daily basis. When appropriate the manager refers the cases to service providers/social workers in the child’s area for further services.  By working within the existing social service network we are able to ensure services for children living in some of the most rural areas of Mpumalanga.

It is often the case that the Childline Crisisline is the only service directly available to children in rural areas and poverty pockets. In these cases, the Crisisline manager maintains contact with the client as well as the responding agency in order to ensure that the child receives appropriate services.

Childline Mpumalanga is the only service of its kind within the province. The Crisisline is uniquely placed to extend and monitor services in the most underserved regions of our province. The referral and follow up system is vital stopgap to ensure that our most vulnerable children do not fall through the cracks of a splintered system.  Monthly statistics will be kept and analysed to identify the needs most prevalent from kids phoning Childline.