“Children’s participation is not just another added ingredient but is interwoven in all aspects
of CHILDLINE's functioning. It has forced me to look at children differently”
Arvind, a CHILDLINE team member

Children are actively involved in planning the
CHILDLINE service in their city. A need assessment study is conducted amongst a representative group
of children to obtain their views and opinions on the
gaps in existing services. This data is obtained from children through a series of workshops and street meetings along with NGOs in the planning phase of
the service.

In every city the CHILDLINE team comprises primarily
of young people- many of them have been in difficult circumstances themselves. The CHILDLINE team strives to understand the need of the child from their perspective and discuss options available with them. CHILDLINE is committed to encouraging children’s participation in all decisions that affect them.

The awareness of the service is also spread by youth volunteers at railway stations, market places, beaches, schools. In addition, CHILDLINE organizes workshops with children to discuss innovative ways to spread the message of CHIDLINE through street theatre, songs and posters.

Children are also involved in evaluating the service through Open Houses. More than a free platform for children to express opinions, give suggestions, address conflicts and give feedbacks, Open House serves as a means for children to assess, review and evaluate CHILDLINE. This open, uninhibited interaction allows the CHILDLINE team along with the children to identify solutions to problems. It is an extension of outreach and sometimes also becomes a bal adalat in the case of a conflict. Thus giving children the authority to judge a situation and decide a verdict or determine a course of action in relation to a problem. It also serves as an opportunity to share the positive encounters between children and functionaries
of the allied systems, like the police, health personnel etc, who otherwise traditionally share a relationship of mistrust. This helps not only in giving insights for improving the service, but also in building a relationship of trust with the children.