In 2025, our network continued its collective commitment to expand the reach and strengthen the capacity and quality of child helplines through a series of focused Learning Sessions.
Guided by the priority topics identified through member input, our 2025 Learning Agenda provided a clear framework for shared reflection and knowledge exchange.
Across eight virtual sessions, almost 300 colleagues joined from around the world. Each session brought together practical experience, evidence-informed guidance and contributions from members and partners.
Here’s a glimpse into the themes that shaped this year’s exchanges.
Deepening Understanding and Child-Centred Communication
Colleagues from Børns Vilkår shared methods they have introduced to shift perspectives on frequent use, including redefining terminology, supporting frequent users, developing data monitoring models and using early intervention strategies. You can read more about their work in this topic in their guest blog.
Later in the year, partners from ECPAT International guided us through technical terminology and everyday communication practices related to child sexual abuse and exploitation. The session highlighted how thoughtful language choices can avoid unintentional victim-blaming, build trust and better support children.
Families Outside, a Scottish charity supporting families affected by imprisonment, explored the diverse needs of these families and the support services available to them. The session covered common challenges, the importance of tailored support, and tools that help children understand imprisonment and related topics. Families Outside brought much needed attention to a sensitive and often overlooked issue. You can read more about their work in their guest blog.
Demonstrating Impact
Later in the year, colleagues from Kids Helpline Australia and Smile of the Child Greece shared examples of how their organizations approach impact measurement.
Coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the End Violence Against Children Ministerial Conference in Bogotá, we proudly launched CHI’s new data dashboard, a powerful tool that brings together five years of comparable data from child helplines worldwide.
Strengthening Quality, Reliability and Preparedness
Three of our 2025 Learning Sessions highlighted strong practices aligned with Child Helpline International’s Core Quality Standards Framework. These dialogues provided a platform to showcase how child helplines continue to advance rights-based, reliable and responsive services for children and young people.
In connection with Core Quality Standard 1, participants reflected on how child helplines embed a rights-based approach in their work, including through robust child rights analyses and active contributions to national, regional and global monitoring.
Linked to Core Quality Standard 4, the session highlighted the systems and routines that support consistently reliable services, from well-maintained referral pathways to clear, regularly updated procedures and sustainable planning.
Lastly, in alignment with Core Quality Standard 9, we explored how child helplines strengthen their readiness for emergencies, ensuring continuity of safe, timely support for children and young people during times of crisis.
Looking Ahead
This year’s sessions reflected the strength of our global community: committed, collaborative and united in advancing high quality child helpline services. The contributions of child helplines and partners enriched every exchange and strengthened our shared knowledge base. Together, we will continue to expand network-wide learning and create new opportunities for collaboration, ensuring that every child who reaches out receives open, safe, timely and effective support.
I look forward to returning in January to announce the 2026 Learning Agenda!
Laura Holliday
Learning Manager
