Get a child into a rescue centre or rehabilitation school
State Department for Children Services · sources read 3 Oct 2026
If a child is in danger, call 116 (free, 24 hours) or take the child to a rescue centre or Children's Office; the child is placed in a place of safety for free within 1 working day. Rehabilitation schools only take children committed by the Children's Court.
- Fee
- FreeChild placement in places of safety
- How long
- 1 working day for placement in a place of safety (service charter)
- Where
- National Child Helpline 116, your nearest Children's Office, or a children rescue centre
Steps
- Call the National Child Helpline 116, free from any supported network, 24 hours a day.
- Or take the child yourself to a children rescue centre if you reasonably believe the child needs care and protection.
- The child gets shelter, food, medical care and counselling while children officers assess the case.
- For a rehabilitation school, the Children's Court decides after reports from Children Officers.
Watch out
- A rescue centre is temporary: a child stays no more than 6 months while a longer-term arrangement is found.
- A rescue centre is used only when no family-based alternative care is available.
- Missing documents do not stop emergency protection for a child.
Who can apply
- Children who are abandoned, neglected, abused, exploited, trafficked, lost, homeless or in immediate danger.
- Rehabilitation schools: children aged 12 to 16 in conflict with the law, committed by the Children's Court.
Official sources (4)
- Child Protection Services Portal childrenservices.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Service Charter childrenservices.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- The Children Act, 2022 (No. 29 of 2022) childrenservices.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- Children Institutions childrenservices.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026