Childline
Childline offers free, confidential counselling and emotional support for children and young people under 19 in the UK. Available 24/7, the service addresses issues such as abuse, bullying, mental health, and family problems. Callers can also receive information and advice on various topics. In cases of immediate concern for a child's welfare, referrals to safeguarding authorities like the Police or NHS may be made. Calls to Childline are free and do not appear on phone bills. While specific wait times are not provided, high call volumes can affect availability, with only 2,500 of 4,500 daily calls typically answered.
Updated 15 Dec 2025
Expected outcomes
- Receive counselling support
- Get information and advice
- Discuss mental health issues
- Report abuse or bullying
- Request safeguarding referrals
Call preparation
Assemble everything before you dial. These requirements are verified by our call analysts and updated as organizations change their scripts.
- No personal details required
- Childline account (for online)
- Access to a phone
- Internet connection (for online)
- Awareness of issues to discuss
- Contact details (optional)
Known issues
Childline experiences high call volumes, with only about 2,500 of the 4,500 daily calls being answered due to resource limitations. This can lead to longer wait times or difficulty getting through. To address this, Childline is actively involved in fundraising and recruiting more volunteers to increase capacity. If you cannot get through by phone, consider using the online chat or email options available on their website, which may offer quicker responses. Remember, the service is confidential, and you can remain anonymous if you choose.
