NSPCC Helpline’s NI base marks 10 years of helping adults keep children safe

The NSPCC Helpline first began taking calls in 1991 and in autumn 2014, due to increasing demand, a base opened in Belfast employing six staff.

That base has now grown to 43 employees who work via a dedicated centre in the charity’s North Derby Street offices and is one of three bases in the UK – Manchester, Birmingham and Belfast.

Over the last 10 years (2014/15-2023/24) NSPCC Helpline has made almost 6,000 referrals to local agencies in Northern Ireland. This is an average of almost 600 a year.

Helpline referrals in Northern Ireland have taken action to help children experiencing neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse and sexual abuse/exploitation and concerns about a parent/adult’s health or behaviour.

Helpline has also supported adult survivors of abuse in Northern Ireland.

Staff in all three bases take calls and contacts from all over the UK. The snapshots below are some examples of calls to the Helpline from Northern Ireland over the past decade.

*“I’m calling about a man in my family. I was always told not to be alone with him when I was younger but wasn’t told further details, he’s not on a register that I’m aware of, but I think he was touching and maybe abusing my cousins. Now my niece has started taking her children round to his house and he’s been offering to collect them from school and clubs. I’ve been told not to say anything to make everyone fall out, but I want to get this stopped.” Adult Survivor, Northern Ireland.

*“I found out from my daughter’s school that there’s sexually explicit videos of her being sent around. She won’t tell me the circumstances of how these videos were made but I think she’s been coerced or blackmailed. She’s not even at the age of consent. The police are involved but can you help me talk to her, I want to support her through this.” Parent, NSPCC Helpline, Northern Ireland.

*“When my niece implied that she had been touched inappropriately I tried to find out who I needed to report this too. Before contacting Helpline, I felt like I’d been passed around and couldn’t get through to anyone who was taking my concerns seriously. I also experienced abuse as a child and this whole thing has affected me. Thank you for talking me through the next steps and suggesting support for her, and for me too.” Family member, NSPCC Helpline, Northern Ireland.

*Snapshots/quotes are based on real Helpline and Childline service users but are not necessarily direct quotes. All names and potentially identifying details have been changed to protect the identity of the child or young person involved.

It’s estimated that 1 in 20 children throughout the UK have experienced sexual abuse. And child sexual abuse is under-reported by adults.

The NSPCC Helpline is trying to change that with a purpose of supporting any adult or professional who works with children, who is worried about a child's safety or wellbeing.

The Helpline can take action on behalf of anyone who has concerns that a child is either being abused or neglected or who is at risk of abuse or neglect

However, it doesn't have to be an emergency or a report about child abuse – Helpline staff also offer a range of other support to parents, carers and professionals.

They can answer queries about the right age to leave a child home alone, how to keep children safe online, or how to support children’s mental and emotional wellbeing.

There is also a dedicated ‘whistleblowing’ Helpline, which can be contacted for any concerns around child protection issues within the workplace, or other professional organisations.

Practice Manager Adrian Somerville was one of those first six people working at the Helpline in Belfast back in 2014.

He recalls: “At the start, there was only a manager and five practitioners. And for the first few years, we sat at the back of the Childline office - I sat in the corner,” he laughs.

“From the very start, we were taking a huge number of calls, and it was obvious that there was a real need for the Helpline service.

“Talking to us about concerns you may have can make life-changing differences for a child who may be suffering from abuse.

“We understand some people may be concerned about revealing their identity when contacting the Helpline, and so you don't have to tell us who you are, where you live or share your contact details.

“As with any dilemma, there’s no perfect answer. But reporting a concern is the answer that is going to help make sure a child is safe.”

Joanne McDonnell is the Helpline Belfast Service Head, she says: “I am immensely proud of the Helpline base in Belfast.

“The fact that the base has grown significantly over the past 10 years is testament to the hard work, passion and commitment of the child protection specialists who are there 365 days a year to provide expert safeguarding advice and support.

“The Helpline in Belfast focuses on ensuring the babies, children and young people in our communities have a voice and are protected from harm.

“It is a privilege to come to work every day knowing that you are supporting staff to help keep children safe.”

Any adults concerned about a child’s safety or wellbeing can contact the NSPCC helpline at [email protected] or by calling 0808 800 5000.