In October 2016, ChildLine will celebrate its 30th Anniversary. To mark this event, two historians, Dr Eve Colpus (University of Southampton) and Dr Jenny Crane (University of Warwick, web co-ordinator for History and Policy Parenting Forum) have been funded by the Wellcome Trust and the University of Southampton to organise a witness seminar.
The seminar will be held at the BT Tower on the 1 June, in recognition of the long-standing ties between BT and ChildLine. Our distinguished witnesses include Dame Esther Rantzen (founder of ChildLine), as well as other past and present leaders, counsellors, and researchers from the organisation, including John Cameron (Head of Helplines) and Colin Butler (ChildLine counsellor 1986-present). To shed light on broader medical, charitable, social and political contexts, we will also be joined such informed commentators as David Brindle (Guardian), Sue Minto (NSPCC), Anne Longfield (Children's Commissioner), Mathew Thomson (historian) and Shaun Woodward (former MP).
We hope to use this event to discuss a range of themes, such as how ChildLine has influenced the establishment of children’s helplines in Africa, Asia and Europe; the broadening definition of 'child abuse’ from 1986 to present, incorporating sexual and emotional abuse and neglect; the development of digital platforms, which provide new challenges and opportunities for children and charities; and the changing landscapes of children's health, social responsibility, and individual rights (including the rights of the vulnerable and non-enfranchised) over recent decades. Unifying this diverse range of themes, we would like to pay particular attention to discussing how ChildLine's history can inform its present and future work with children, and the work of government, social work agencies, police and children's services. Following the day itself, the History and Policy Parenting Forum blog will feature a blog describing its key discussions and outcomes.
To find out more do feel free to contact Eve Colpus and Jenny Crane at e.c.colpus@soton.ac.uk and j.crane.1@warwick.ac.uk
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