Former principal recommends volunteering with new ChildLine Schools Service

Emphasising that children's lives are shaped by what happens in childhood, Ann expressed her belief that "we as adults have a huge responsibility to protect and educate them".

The service aims to help younger children recognise and know how to protect themselves from all forms of abuse, including bullying. Helping roll it out across primary schools in the Newry and Mourne area, Ann said that after a lifetime of teaching, she felt she "owed" it to children to ensure that they are protected:

"Having taught for thirty six years and enjoyed every minute, and learned a lot from the children, I felt I owed them so much. I want to help them build a more secure and carefree future for themselves - a future where they can realise their full potential, whatever their circumstances. 

"I had become aware of the excellent work carried out by NSPCC, having invited them into school over many years, and felt their endeavours related well to my own ideals."

As Principal Ann would, with the support of colleagues, previously have selected NSPCC and ChildLine to receive fundraising help from the school. Now she feels she has even more to give:

"The ChildLine Schools Service is essential because it is reaching children, making them aware of their rights, educating them and - in so doing - arming them against all forms of neglect and abuse.

"The programme provides children with the knowledge they need to protect themselves and to enable them to access help quickly and confidently, should they need it. By their nature, all forms of abuse and neglect are secretive. In many cases only the children themselves are in a position to seek help when, with education, they realise that this shouldn't be happening to them."

Committed to her new volunteering role, Ann is convinced of the necessity for this service: "Each child is an individual - unique and precious. Their lives both present and future are shaped by what happens in childhood. We as adults have a huge responsibility to protect and educate them.
 
"Through this programme we can make children aware of the support available to them and help them realise that there are people who respect their rights, and that they are entitled to a safe and secure life where they can grow and develop happily.

"I feel very strongly that all those who have and work with children need to recognise the importance of respecting children's rights, and feel very strongly that this life skill for children of knowing how to protect themselves and knowing they have rights and recourse to help when they need it should receive equal weighting with all other important areas of the curriculum."
 
The innovative new ChildLine Schools Service will focus on seven to 11 year olds, and aims to help them understand what abuse is, how to protect themselves and how to seek help if they need it – including through ChildLine.

Research undertaken by the NSPCC shows that the majority of children who contact ChildLine for advice, information and support are over 11 years old.  However we know that the majority of children on the child protection register inNorthern Irelandare under the age of 11 and it may be more difficult for them to speak up.

The ChildLine Schools Service wants to educate children earlier and ensure they know how to keep themselves safe or seek help if they need it.

Volunteers will be central to the delivery of this exciting new service.  They will be trained to deliver safeguarding assemblies and interactive workshops in primary schools.  All materials will be provided and volunteers will be given regular training and support. 

By 2016 the aim is to visit every primary school in the UK at least once every two years. 

To find out more about the new ChildLine Schools Service and volunteering opportunities please visit www.nspcc.org.uk/schoolsservice.