As a response to the COVID-19 crisis, child protection actors and service providers are exploring how they can continue to provide support to children, families and communities remotely through the use of technology. This includes child helplines, which, over the last decade, have become increasingly important in responding to concerns raised by children and young people on a range of issues.

This note has been developed with two main objectives in mind: (1)To provide practical advice to child protection actors and service providers – including government departments, (I)NGOs, civil society organisations (CSO), community-based organisations (CBO), UN agencies and child protection coordination groups – on how to support children and families through a child helpline service, including collaboration with existing, national child helplines. (2) To explore how existing child helpline can contribute to, and participate in, efforts to support children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic through child protection mechanisms and systems. This includes expanding their services affecting their lives.