ChildLine (Telephone 0800 1111) is a free 24 hour confidential telephone counselling service for children.

Sometimes children find it easier to talk to someone they don't know than to talk to someone who is involved with what is happening.

If your child is finding it difficult to talk about how s/he feels with you or other people it may helpful to suggest calling ChildLine as an option.

ChildLine can also provide you and/or your child with information on local support services such as face to face counselling.

For further information, please visit their website at www.childline.org.uk

Other agencies that can help:

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)
Helpline: 0808 800 5000
Textphone: 0800 056 0566
The NSPCC runs 180 community-based teams and projects throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They also provide a free, 24-hour Child Protection Helpline that provides information, advice and counselling to anyone concerned about a child's safety.
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

Barnardo's
Barnardo's helps children, young people and their families over the long term to overcome the most severe disadvantages - problems like abuse, homelessness and poverty.
Website: www.barnardos.org.uk/

Back to You and your children

This article was last reviewed by Catherine Orr Deas in December 2005.
First published in February 2003.