Voices of Children and Young People Child Helpline Data for 2017 & 2018

Children's Rights and Child Helpline Data

Child helplines have a unique insight into the gap between policy and reality, making them a key actor in advocating for children's rights. Across the world they support millions of children every year. They respond to issues ranging from serious children's rights violations, to children who just want someone to chat to on the way home from school. What brings child helplines together is the provision of an easily accessible, confidential system that allows children themselves to tell a counsellor what is going on in their lives.

Child helplines also have a unique insight into the direct experiences of children and young people on a larger scale than any other organisations. Therefore, the value of child helplines' data on contacts cannot be overstated in informing and guiding policy, learning and practice. The role of child helplines in protecting children and promoting their rights is adapted to the needs of each child or young person. Child helplines work with a range of national partners and referral agencies to ensure that children and young people receive the support they need to thrive. In this position, child helplines have oversight of where services are misssing or failing children and young people.

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