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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people by listening and providing counselling over the phone or online.
- Company: Childline, dedicated to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Comprehensive training, ongoing support, and access to volunteer perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others, great communication, and emotional resilience.
- Other info: Minimum one-year commitment with flexible shifts and a supportive team.
Overview
Someone who wants to make a difference to children’s lives by being there to listen when they feel they have no one else to turn to. As a Childline Counsellor, you’ll be there for young people and listen to them as they open up about whatever is worrying them, whether it’s bullying, abuse, self-harm or family relationships – you’ll be there to support them.
What you’ll do
You’ll volunteer in your local Childline base, offering counselling support to children and young people over the phone or through our 1-2-1 online chat. Your supervisor will help you develop and evaluate your counselling skills. After your initial training, you will be able to help young people as well as identify when a child or young person may be at risk, but don’t worry a supervisor will be on hand to give you plenty of support. Shifts are 3-4 hours and you can sign up to times that suit you on our set rota. Come in as often as you can, but at least 26 shifts per year.
What you’ll get
You’ll receive training sessions over 12weeks to prepare you for the role. When you start your regular shifts, a supervisor will be around all times to support you. Every shift includes a briefing and debriefing alongside other volunteers. Supervisors will also give you regular one-to-one support and group supervisions. You will also get access to external support through our volunteer support programme, access to a discount portal, expenses paid and lots of tea, coffee and snacks. You will gain valuable transferable skills and be able to make a real difference in a great organisation.
What we’ll need from you
Signing up to be a Childline counsellor is a big commitment and requires lots of training so, we do ask people to stay in the role for a minimum of one year. We’ll also need to do some routine safeguarding checks, including an enhanced criminal record check and at least two satisfactory references with at least one covering a period of five years or more with no gaps. It’s nothing to worry about, and we can answer any questions you have about this.
Who’s right for the role?
While we think this role is suitable for a whole range of people, we are particularly looking for those with the following qualities and experience.
- Passionate about helping young people and children
- Great communication skills
- Empathetic and perceptive
- Able to think on your feet
- Works well within a team
- Emotional resilience
Interested in getting involved? Volunteer today and join our fight for every childhood.
Additional information
Required Role
Key responsibilities
Answer phone calls and 1-2-1 online chats from young people and support them using skills gained through our counselling training model
Get directions to this location on Google Maps.
To one-click apply for this opportunity you need to have completed the following:
- You need to have an active account on this website
- You need to have an active volunteering account
- You need to have fully completed the volunteering profile set-up
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Childline Volunteer Counsellor employer: Jmsu
Contact Detail:
Jmsu Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Childline Volunteer Counsellor
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Childline and understand their mission. This will help you connect with the values they stand for during your conversations.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice active listening. When you're on the phone or in a chat, focus on what the young person is saying. Show empathy and let them know you’re there for them.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for the unexpected. Each call or chat can be different, so stay flexible and ready to adapt your approach based on the young person's needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s super easy and ensures your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way!
We think you need these skills to ace Childline Volunteer Counsellor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for helping young people and any relevant experiences that have shaped your desire to volunteer.
Tailor Your Responses: Make sure to tailor your answers to reflect the qualities we’re looking for, like empathy and great communication skills. Use examples from your life that demonstrate these traits, as this will help us see how you fit into our team.
Show Commitment: We’re looking for volunteers who are in it for the long haul! Highlight your willingness to commit to at least a year and mention any previous volunteering experiences that show your dedication to making a difference.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’ve completed all necessary steps. Plus, it’s super straightforward!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jmsu
✨Know Your Why
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on why you want to be a Childline Volunteer Counsellor. Be ready to share your passion for helping young people and how your personal experiences have shaped this desire. This will show your genuine commitment to the role.
✨Practice Active Listening
Since the role involves listening to children and young people, practice active listening techniques before your interview. This means fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said. You might even want to role-play with a friend to get comfortable with this skill.
✨Show Empathy and Resilience
During the interview, be prepared to discuss scenarios where you've demonstrated empathy and emotional resilience. Think of examples from your past experiences that highlight your ability to support others in difficult situations. This will help the interviewers see that you possess the qualities they are looking for.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the training process, the support you'll receive, or how the team collaborates during shifts. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you understand what to expect if you join the team.
