News
ParentLine extends opening hours
Monday 19 December 2011
ParentLine Scotland, a free helpline and email service for anyone with a concern about a child, is keeping lines open over Christmas and Hogmanay for the first time in its 12-year history to meet demand from callers who are seeking support over the festive period.
The service has already received a flurry of calls from people reporting child protection concerns and reports of domestic violence in particular.
Alison Todd, Director of Policy and Practice Development for CHILDREN 1ST, said:
“Christmas can be a stressful time for families and we would like to be there during this time to offer parents and carers support and advice. In addition, since launching a domestic violence campaign on 8 December, we have definitely noticed an increase in the number of calls to report child protection or domestic violence concerns. In the first week alone we received 11 calls, which is double the amount received in the same period last year regarding these issues.
Due to these reasons we have taken the decision to keep our lines open over the festive period, so that people who are concerned about a child can contact ParentLine Scotland.”
CHILDREN 1ST, the charity that runs ParentLine Scotland, launched a campaign on Wednesday 8 December in partnership with the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit to raise awareness of the devastating impact domestic violence has on children. The campaign centres around a letter to Santa from a child called Ben which says, “All I want for Christmas is for the fighting to stop”. The letter was created after speaking to children and young people in CHILDREN 1ST’s services, who had been victims of domestic violence, about their experiences of Christmas. To find out more about the campaign please visit www.children1st.org.uk or www.actiononviolence.com.
Chief Inspector Graham Goulden, who leads the Anti-Violence Campaign on behalf of the Violence Reduction Unit said: "Sadly, we know that Christmas is a time when we're likely to see more domestic abuse incidents. The damage this abuse causes, both physically and emotionally, can be long lasting, affecting not just the victim but their children too. That's why the service provided by ParentLine Scotland is so vital."
ParentLine Scotland is a free and confidential service for anyone with a concern about a child. Please call 0800 028 2233 or email parentlinescotland@children1st.org.uk.
From Christmas Eve till Monday 2 January, the helpline is open from 10am to 1pm.
Standard helpline opening hours:
Monday: 9am–10pm
Tuesday: 9am–10pm
Wednesday: 9am–10pm
Thursday: 9am–10pm
Friday: 9am–10pm
Saturday: 12pm–8pm
Sunday: 12pm–8pm
Ends
Editor’s Notes:
About ParentLine Scotland and CHILDREN 1ST
- ParentLine Scotland is a free helpline and email service for anyone concerned about a child. ParentLine Scotland can be contacted on 0800 028 2233 or by emailing parentlinescotland@children1st.org.uk.
- For over 125 years CHILDREN 1ST has been working to build a brighter future for Scotland’s vulnerable children and families. At CHILDREN 1ST we listen, we support and we take action by delivering services in homes and communities across Scotland. We work to safeguard children and young people, to support them within their families and to help them to recover from abuse, neglect and violence. We speak out for children’s rights and we campaign to change attitudes.
- CHILDREN 1ST provides local services across Scotland as well as national services including ParentLine Scotland and ChildLine Scotland, which is delivered in Scotland by CHILDREN 1ST on behalf of the NSPCC.
- For more information about how we work to keep children safe in Scotland, visit www.children1st.org.uk.
- Registered Scottish Charity No: SC 016092.
Last updated: Tuesday 24 January 2012
