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To Sam

Notes from Childline | Ask Sam

I’ve used Childline for ages now and I was wondering about the notes counsellors make. I know they keep them to help us if we call back, but is it possible for me to see them myself? How do I go about asking for a copy of what's been written about me?

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Sam

Hi there,

Whenever you speak to a Childline counsellor on the phone or online, they’ll make some confidential notes about what you’ve said. This is to help keep you safe make it easier for us to support you in the future.

It’s always okay to request to see what notes have been kept about you. This is called a subject access request, and you can ask to do this any time. You can find out more about accessing your notes and how to do this in our privacy policy.

People can have lots of reasons they might want to see their notes, and it’s good to think about how seeing them might impact you. For some, seeing what they’ve spoken about in the past can have a big impact on them. Think about what support you might need to make sure you’re okay. If you’re still under 19, you can talk to a Childline counsellor about that any time.

Remember, Childline is always here to support you and keep you safe.

Take care,

Sam

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