Childline Volunteer Counsellor

Overview

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.

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.

You’ll receive training sessions over 12weeks 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.

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.

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.

Answer phone calls and 1-2-1 online chats from young people and support them using skills gained through our counselling training model

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To one-click apply for this opportunity you need to have completed the following:

• You need to have an active account on this website
• You need to have an active volunteering account
• You need to have fully completed the volunteering profile set-up