The NSPCC provides a confidential helpline for parents and carers who need advice and support for a young person who may have mental health and wellbeing issues, or who have an enquiry on child protection and related subjects.
The NSPCC offers parents and carers a direct helpline to their information specialists. ChildLine, operated by the NSPCC, provides confidential support for any young person with mental health and wellbeing issues, or other concerns through a 24 hour helpline with trained advisers, online chats and message boards.
Contact Details
- Telephone: 0808 800 5000
- Hours of service: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Website: NSPCC
Service Hours
This is dependent on the demand for the service, typically, getting through to a practitioner can take anywhere between a few seconds to 5 minutes. The NSPCC make every effort to ensure those who call the helpline are put through to a practitioner on their first attempt; however, this is not always possible. In this case they would be advised to call back later.
The NSPCC is free to call from landlines and most mobile networks. You can text or email NSPCC for a call back. If you text, please provide your telephone number and name (or false name if you prefer).
Helpline Services
The NSPCC helpline offers a variety of advice and support services for parents and carers, through trained advisers, the online Information Service and guides. When a parent or carer phones, they will be able to speak to an information specialist with any concerns over child protection or related subjects.
If a child is perceived to be at serious risk of harm then a referral can be made to the child's local authority at which point it would be investigated by them and, if deemed necessary, social workers may get involved but this normally only applies to the more serious cases.
The NSPCC may suggest that a parent or carer contact their GP who can offer help to get other kinds of support on behalf of a young person.
Ongoing Support
Parents and carers can utilize the service over specific concerns about the wellbeing or safety of a child as much as they require, so they can call repeatedly should they need to. With regards to providing ongoing support, dependant on support need, the NSPCC offer a range of services.
Share this page
