Volunteer as a Childline Counsellor
Are you 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.
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.
You’ll volunteer in your local Childline base, offering counselling support to children and young people over the phone or through 1-2-1 online chat.
Your supervisor will help you develop and evaluate your counselling skills.
You’ll receive training sessions over 11 weeks to prepare you for the role. When you start your regular shifts, a supervisor will be around at 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.
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.
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
Time commitment: A suggested weekly time commitment is 4 hours, days and hours negotiable with the organisation. With a longer-term time commitment of 1 year.
Expenses reimbursed: Out of pocket expenses are reimbursed.
Training provided: Full training is provided.
Selection procedure: Informal discussion, application form completion, disclosure and barring check (cost met by organisation) and two 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.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact us using the form below.