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| Role title | ChildLine online counsellor |
| Location | Belfast, Liverpool and Manchester |
| Purpose of position | The purpose of the volunteer online counsellor role is to provide services to children and young people via the ChildLine website. This involves trained volunteers responding to children and young people in a variety of ways depending on how they have chosen to access the service. This could be via a live 1-2-1 online conversation with a young person, via a secure email, by answering their 'agony aunt' letters or by moderating and publishing message boards where children and young people support each other. The work of the online counsellor will be supervised and supported, to assist volunteer counsellors in working with sensitive issues such as bullying, sexual abuse, physical abuse, self harm and family relationhips. |
| Key activities | To work within ChildLine's policies and procedures to provide online service to children and young people. To identify when a child or young person may be at risk and alert a supervisor so that a fuller risk assessment can be made. Depending upon the assessment made, to work with the supervisor on the appropriate action to take, which may inlcude ensuring the immeadiate safety of that child or young person. To offer children and young people information, advice and support. To work within a team of volunteers and employed staff. To work with the supervisors and other members of the team to evaluate and develop your practice as a volunteer. |
| Period of opportunity | Ongoing |
| Days/times | Belfast: Wednesday: 2.45pm-7pm, 5.45pm-10pm |
| Liverpool: Tuesday 15.00 to 18.30 & 18.00 to 21.30 Friday 15.00 to 18.30 & 18.00 to 21.30 Sunday 12.00 to 15.30 & 15.00 to 18.30 | |
Manchester: | |
| Qualifications/ attitude/ experience/ skills/ knowledge/ personal qualities required | Commitment to children and young people Ability to listen Ability to demonstrate understanding and descretion Able to deal with others with problems in an empathic, open-minded and non judgemental way. Willing and able to learn and change Aware of the impact of personal experiences on your own outlook and views Able to identify feelings Able to take direction and feedback from others Aware of the impact of own actions on others Able to manage stress appropriately Able to maintain a regular commitment to weekly shifts and training Willing to learn IT skills to work effectively online |
| Training, support, accreditation available | Training in Childline Basic Counselling Skills for online work More in-depth topic based training including safeguarding children and young people Relevant IT training Brief and debrief sessions when on shift Regular supervision sessions with a service supervisor including live on shift, in groups and on a planned individual basis |
| Role to be managed by | |
| Contact details | Belfast role: ChildLine Northern Ireland Manchester or Liverpool role ChildLine North West
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Copyright © 2006 NSPCC - All rights reserved. National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Weston House, 42
Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Registered charity number 216401. NSPCC, charity registered in Scotland, charity number SC037717.