About Childline

Childline is yours – a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything.

Important update: Because of the coronavirus, we’ve had to make some changes to how Childline works. For now, you can only speak to a Childline counsellor online or on the phone from 9am – midnight.

 

On this page

Who we are

Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through.

You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you.

4 facts about Childline:

  • we were started in 1986 by Esther Rantzen
  • we help any young person in the UK
  • calling Childline is free and doesn’t show up on the phone bill
  • in 2006 we became part of the NSPCC to help even more young people.

they made me feel
important
and like my worries
mattered

Need to talk? Get in touch

WHO ARE THE CHILDLINE COUNSELLORS?

Our counsellors are trained staff and volunteers. All sorts of people become Childline counsellors.

They’re all different ages and come from lots of different backgrounds. But what they all have in common is that they want to help young people. 

They're real people who want to support you with any issue you’re facing. They're trained but they don't follow a script. If you want to, you can ask them their name. 

A Childline counsellor:

  • will listen to you 
  • knows it takes courage to contact us
  • is genuine, open and friendly
  • knows about the problems young people can face
  • won't judge you or put you down
  • isn’t easily shocked
  • will let you take your time.

Did you know?

51% of our counsellors prefer savoury food to sweet food. That’s a close one!

Contacting Childline

feedback and complaints

We want to make sure every young person who contacts us has a space where they feel safe and listened to. Your feedback helps us to improve and change what we do.

There are lots of ways you can give feedback or make a complaint:

 

Childline on other websites

Childline posts almost ever day with advice, support and discussions. Find us on Facebook and Instagram. We also post weekly Voice Box videos to YouTube.

When you’re looking for Childline on social media, remember:

  • we can’t give counselling on our social networks but you can talk to our counsellors on the phone or through our website.
  • our counsellors will never approach you online or try to talk to you outside of Childline. If someone does this to you, tell us straight away by contacting a counsellor.

Sometimes we work with other organisations and you may see our logo on other websites. But please remember that you can only get help from Childline counsellors on our website.

Info for adults

Childline is a service that’s run by the NSPCC. We’re here to support every child or young person in the UK. If you’re worried about a child and would like support, you can talk to the NSPCC helpline.

There are lots of ways you can support Childline or get advice: