ChildLine

The NSPCC is inspired by a belief that we can make a difference for all children. That's why we aim to end cruelty to children in the UK. Even if it takes many generations to realise it, we achieve much more for children by having this inspirational vision.

ChildLine was founded in 1986, and became part of the NSPCC in 2006.

ChildLine Services' objective is to be there whenever and however a child needs us, providing choice, accessibility and confidentiality to help, support and advise. ChildLine is a true champion of children's voices both within and outside the NSPCC.

What it's like to work here:

ChildLine Services consist of the following departments:

ChildLine Helpline

ChildLine is the UK's free, 24-hour, 7 days a week confidential helpline for children and young people. It is a unique service with over 1,000 active, trained, volunteer counsellors operating from 12 bases across the UK, alongside a smaller number of staff counsellors. Our counseling volunteers and staff are supervised by a team of experienced managers. Children and young people can contact trained ChildLine counsellors both online and by phone.

Typical roles:

Area Managers (diploma in relevant field required (social work, education or similar)
Services Managers (professional diploma required, as above)
Senior Supervisors (professional diploma required, as above)
Supervisors (NVQ Level 3 or 4 qualifications required)
Counsellors
Centralised Administrative support team (Birmingham)
Volunteer Co-ordinators

ChildLine Schools Service

Most ChildLine callers are children over the age of eleven years old. We need a way to reach out to younger children to ensure they have an understanding of abuse, of how to protect themselves and how to access help through ChildLine and other sources.

So, we set up this volunteer led service that focuses on primary school children from 5 to 11 years old, with a particular emphasis on 7-11 year olds. The aim of the service is to visit every primary school in the UK at least once every two years so that we can help children recognise what abuse looks like and how we can help stop it.

Typical roles:

Schools Service Managers (diploma in relevant field required (social work, education or similar)
Schools Service Area Co-ordinators
Schools Service Volunteers

Participation Unit

This Participation Unit is responsible for the support to the whole of the NSPCC to deliver and develop participation activity, from facilitating consultations, advising staff on how to run an event with children and young people, to developing tools and methods to seek children and young people's views. They are the challenger and the advocate of children and young people's voices, inspiring and motivating staff and supporters to see the value children's participation brings.

Typical roles:

Participation Manager
Participation Officers
Participation Information Officer

What we expect from you

To be able to work or volunteer in ChildLine candidates must have certain key attributes:

Understanding that every child's voice matters
Commitment to protecting children and strong child centred approach to work
Commitment to the principles of providing confidential and safe space where children can speak freely
Flexibility and ability to adapt to changes, because of the 24/7 nature of the service and the need to meet children's needs first and foremost
Maintaining high standards of quality and integrity in providing this valuable safeguarding service