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"We cannot allow that government departments become an obstacle to the achievement of the goal of a better life for all because of insufficient attention to the critical issue of effective and speedy delivery of services."
State of the Nation Address - President Thabo Mbeki: Joint Sitting of Parliament, 3 February 2006
What is CHIP?
CHIP is a CINDI Working Group that was formed in 1997 in response to delays experienced by children within the child care system. The group aims to ensure administrative justice for children and their caregivers.
The South African Constitution Chapter 2, Section 28 (2) states that "a child's best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child." Therefore an organ of state, an official, employee or representative of an organ of state, or any other person in authority who has official control over a child, must, when acting in any matter concerning the child, base their actions on this principle.
Currently CHIP operates within the Child Advocacy Project of the CINDI Network.
How does CHIP work?
Anyone who believes that the best interests of a child are not being served, who has unsuccessfully tried all other avenues to resolve a problem, completes a CHIP report form which is available from the CINDI and CAP offices.
Upon receipt of a completed CHIP form:
- CHIP asks the responsible case worker for an explanation or corrective action by a certain date - usually within 14 days.
- If no satisfactory response is received by then, the matter is automatically referred up the chain of command.
- If the next level of authority fails to respond or address the issue by the given date, the process is repeated until all levels of authority are exhausted, after which, remedies such as press exposure or court action would be considered.
CHIP keeps written records of all cases referred to it and captures all information in the CINDI Electronic Database
Who serves on CHIP?
Panelists, including representatives from NGOs and government departments serve on a voluntary basis and meet regularly to review cases as a peer review committee. Panelists have expertise in:
- Child rights
- Litigation
- Legislation on children's issues
- Research and advocacy
To whom is CHIP accountable?
- The complainant
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CINDI Members
- The Child Advocacy Project
- The community
What are some of the issues CHIP has dealt with in the past ?
- Non-payment of Social Grants
- Problems and delays in the appropriate placement of children
- Tracking cases lost in the system
- Non delivery by the Department of Home Affairs
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