Childline training: Turning compassion into a qualification

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4 November 2026
2 minutes
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When a child picks up the phone or opens a chat at Childline, the person responding has been prepared for that moment.

Two people stand indoors in front of a colourful display with large letters reading “AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN HERE.” One person is holding a Childline induction training certificate. The wall beside them is decorated with children’s drawings and handwritten thank-you messages. Both are wearing casual hoodies and jeans in a bright office or community space.
Volunteers achieve a qualification at SCQF level 6 upon completion of the training

And, since 2021, the training that develops these skills has been recognised on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).

The NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children)’s Childline Induction Training has been credit rated at SCQF level 6, with 20 SCQF credit points, equivalent to 200 hours of notional learning.

What does the Childline training involve?

It is a substantial programme, made up of:

  • 12 blended taught modules
  • 140 hours of counselling practice
  • additional study time to complete the work

Everyone who wants to volunteer with Childline at any of its 12 bases across the UK must complete it. Volunteers come from all walks of life, from students to retired professionals, united by a wish to improve children’s lives.

Two people stand in a brightly lit office space in front of a colourful sign reading “AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN HERE.” One person holds a Childline Induction Training certificate while standing beside another person. A noticeboard on the wall displays children’s hand-drawn thank-you posters and festive artwork dedicated to Childline volunteers, with colourful bunting hanging above.
The qualification is at SCQF level 6 – the same level of difficulty as a Higher

A qualification that opens doors

Volunteers value gaining a qualification as part of their induction. For some it is a stepping stone to other roles, or to a career as a professional counsellor. It is also a strong recruitment tool for Childline.

The numbers show how well the programme works. Since it was credit rated in 2021, Childline has trained around 100 volunteers every year, and the NSPCC is now on its 225th cohort of trainees.

“Added credibility” for volunteers

Georgia Lazell, Childline Team Manager for Childline Induction Training, said:

As a Childline Team Manager, I’m delighted that our programme has been credit rated for the SCQF by Qualifications Scotland. The formal recognition gives our training added credibility and recognises the commitment volunteers make throughout their induction journey. It helps volunteers feel confident and skilled in their role, while providing a valuable qualification that can support their future development and encourages long-term engagement with Childline.”

Get involved with Childline

If you are interested in volunteering with Childline, or finding out more about what they do, visit the NSPCC website.

Could your own training programme be credit rated for the SCQF? Find out more on our website.

Glossary Term

Authority

Appears at Level 12 only where it is used in the phrase ‘demonstrate substantial authority’, reflecting a recognised high level and depth of expertise/expert knowledge and understanding, along with confidence. It does not mean ‘exercise authority over staff and resources’ etc, as that could clearly apply at earlier levels.

Glossary Term

Exercise

Used in connection with management and/or supervisory responsibility, denotes a requirement of a formal, substantive role.

Glossary Term

Directive

Applied to ‘supervision’, signifies a task or activity that is guided.

Glossary Term

Graphical Data

Encompasses maps, plans, diagrams, tables and graphs.

Glossary Term

Synthesis

Combine discrete elements into a coherent whole.

Glossary Term

Analysis

Examine in detail with a view to explanation and interpretation.

Glossary Term

Present

Set out, put forward, deliver information using a variety of mediums as appropriate.

Glossary Term

Hypothetical

Supposed, assumed for the sake of argument.

Glossary Term

Straightforward

Clear and uncomplicated activity, but not as demanding or systematic and therefore not as advanced as ‘routine’.

Glossary Term

Creativity

Often used in combination with ‘originality’. There is overlap in definition, but the defining characteristic of creativity appears to be imagination.

Glossary Term

Originality

Often used in combination with ‘creativity’. There is overlap in definition, but the defining characteristic of originality appears to be independence.

Glossary Term

Professional

Used throughout as an adjective and applied to terms including level, skills, techniques, practices, contexts, and issues where it bears broad interpretation as ‘behaving appropriately/doing things properly and well and to notions of accepted, (including externally) prescribed standards’, as well as narrow, relating to a specific occupation designated as a profession. In this latter sense, the term applies in all contexts including academic study, eg footnoting properly.

Glossary Term

Unfamiliar

New territory for an activity.

Glossary Term

Routine

Used as an adjective throughout and applied to terms including skills, tasks, elements, practices, contexts, methods and problems where it describes activity that is standard, usual, unvarying, customary, common.

Glossary Term

Everyday

Slightly more advanced and beyond personal but a known experience/activity encountered/applied regularly - less advanced than ‘familiar’.

Glossary Term

Familiar

Often encountered or experienced; common; something one has a good knowledge of - more advanced than ‘personal’ and ‘everyday’, not as advanced as ‘routine’.

Glossary Term

Personal

An experience relating only or primarily to the person – one would expect to start here then widen out into the rest of the world, so not as advanced as ‘familiar’.

Glossary Term

Critical

Fully informed, capable of supporting in-depth analysis and assessment.

Glossary Term

Discerning

Using judgement to recognise differences but not fully equipped/informed to analyse and discuss them in depth, so less advanced than critical.

Glossary Term

Awareness

Consciousness, including a background consciousness. Can be a starting point for further exploration.

Glossary Term

Appreciation

A sense, perception, a hold, fix or grasp of one or more of the various aspects of a subject/discipline/sector.

Glossary Term

Understanding

A thorough and firm grasp of a subject/discipline/sector or an element or elements of it, derived from education/study, experience and reasoning in appropriate combination. Can be defined as ‘know why’, as opposed to ‘know that’. More holistic knowledge of processes and contexts, so more advanced than appreciation and knowledge.

Glossary Term

Simple

Undemanding activity not necessarily part of a formal structure - not as advanced as ‘basic’.

Glossary Term

Knowledge

Facts, ideas, theories and concepts in a subject/discipline/sector acquired through experience and/or education – a surer grasp than appreciation so more advanced.

Glossary Term

Basic

Activity is early stepping stone on a structure or framework that can be built upon – more advanced than ‘simple’.