Childline Volunteer Counsellor
About organisation / project
Childline is a free listening service for children and young people ages up to 19 years old in the UK. We are here to listen and provide help, support and a listening ear to young people whatever problems or dangers they are facing.
Children don’t always know who to trust with their worries. Without a safe place to turn, they can put their trust in the wrong person or keep their fears to themselves. Home isn’t a safe place for every child, and the pandemic made even more children feel trapped, lonely, and unsure who to trust. Our Childline service is a confidential place for children to contact – over the phone or online – whatever their worry.
As a Childline volunteer you’ll get the opportunity to:
- learn valuable new skills;
- be part of a friendly team of like-minded people;
- be there for children across the country.
We are looking for new volunteers to join us at our Liverpool base. Do you have 4 hours a fortnight to give to support children and young people who contact our service? No experience is required as full training is provided.
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What we’re looking for
Someone who wants to make a difference to children’s lives by being there to listen when they feel they have no one else to turn to. As a Childline Counsellor, you’ll be there for young people and listen to them as they open up about whatever is worrying them, whether it’s bullying, abuse, self-harm or family relationships – you’ll be there to support them.
What you’ll do
You’ll volunteer in your local Childline base, offering counselling support to children and young people over the phone or through our 1-2-1 online chat. Your supervisor will help you develop and evaluate your counselling skills. After your initial training, you will be able to help young people as well as identify when a child or young person may be at risk, but don’t worry a supervisor will be on hand to give you plenty of support. Shifts are 3-4 hours and you can sign up to times that suit you on our set rota. Come in as often as you can, but at least 26 shifts per year.
What you’ll get
You’ll receive training sessions over 12 weeks to prepare you for the role. When you start your regular shifts, a supervisor will be around all times to support you. Every shift includes a briefing and debriefing alongside other volunteers. Supervisors will also give you regular one-to-one support and group supervisions. You will also get access to external support through our volunteer support programme, access to a discount portal, expenses paid and lots of tea, coffee and snacks. You will gain valuable transferable skills and be able to make a real difference in a great organisation.
What we’ll need from you
Signing up to be a Childline counsellor is a big commitment and requires lots of training so, we do ask people to stay in the role for a minimum of one year.
We’ll also need to do some routine safeguarding checks, including an enhanced criminal record check and at least two satisfactory references with at least one covering a period of five years or more with no gaps.
It’s nothing to worry about, and we can answer any questions you have about this.
Who’s right for the role?
While we think this role is suitable for a whole range of people, we are particularly looking for those with the following qualities and experience.
• Passionate about helping young people and children
• Great communication skills
• Empathetic and perceptive
• Able to think on your feet
• Works well within a team
• Emotional resilience
Interested in getting involved? Volunteer today and join our fight for every childhood.
Additional information Hide[-]
Required Role
Key responsibilities
Desirable Skills
- Communication
- IT, Computers and Web Skills
- Listening
- Non-discriminatory
- Non-judgemental
- Self Management
Skill to gain
- Administration and Clerical
- Communication
- Confidence
- Interpersonal
- IT, Computers and Web Skills
- Leadership and Management
- Listening
- Mentoring and counselling
- Non-discriminatory
- Non-judgemental
- Office IT (Word, Excel etc)
- Problem solving
- Reviewing and evaluation
- Team Work
- Time Management
- Self Management
When can you do this role/Calendar
Minimum commitment level: Twice a month
Start Date: 17-09-2025
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