05 July 2007.

£30 MILLION BOOST FOR CHILDLINE

Stafford’s MP David Kidney has WELCOMED THE Government’s announcement that the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) will get £30 million over the next four years to strengthen its ChildLine Service - the free helpline for children and young people in the UK.

As part of the partnership with the Government the NSPCC will also be putting more money into its helplines.

The MP says:

“This money will also help expand the NSPCC’s other helpline services, including those provided online, and the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline which allows adults to report concerns. In future children will also be able to access services via text message.

“ChildLine is a service provided by the NSPCC. It operates 365 days a year and in 2005 nearly 160,000 children received counselling from the service and through a similar service provided over the internet.

“The NSPCC Child Protection Helpline receives calls from members of the public and professionals who are concerned about children. It makes referrals to other services where appropriate and provides specific safeguarding advice, information, counselling and support to members of the public who have serious concerns for children. It is staffed by a range of professionally qualified and experienced staff, including social workers, counsellors, teachers and nurses.

“Children and young people can call ChildLine on 0800 1111 to talk about any problem. Members of the public who have serious concerns about a child children can call the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline on 0808 800 5000.”