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Youth Helplines Network response to National Bullying Helpline comments

The Youth Helplines Network has condemned the National Bullying Helpline for breaching the confidentiality of callers alleged to be staff from the Prime Minister's office.

 

Christine Pratt, chief executive of the National Bullying Helpline, which is not a member of the Youth Helplines Network, was reported as claiming that staff from Number 10 had been victims of bullying.

Pratt said she was compelled to go public with the information after Lord Mandelson denied that Gordon Brown was a bully in response to separate allegations.

But Emma Insley, chair of the Youth Helplines Network warned that Pratt's actions could deter "thousands of callers" from contacting helplines in a crisis.

"The principle of confidentiality is paramount to those who contact a helpline. Callers must be able to talk about issues that are concerning them without fear that information about them, including their location or workplace, will be revealed to the press," she warned.

"The Youth Helplines Network would pursue disciplinary action against any member that disclosed such information in the public domain."

The Youth Helplines Network is a group of 18 helplines that share best practice on working with children and young people.

Get Connected is a member of the Youth Helplines Network which also includes YouthNet, Campaign Against Living Miserably, Muslim Youth Helpline and Brook.

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