Kids’ counselling line at risk of closure after funding cuts

Thursday, 30 January 2025

Barnardos’ ‘0800 What’s Up’ helpline is at risk of closing after 23 years due to Oranga Tamariki funding reductions, with one in 10 of the thousands of calls it receives from children regarding suicide.

Barnardos is now fighting to find the cash to keep the children’s helpline going. It says it is the only helpline for children as young as five, and received almost 13,000 calls and online chats last year.

The top issues children called to talk to counsellors about were family relationships, suicide, peer relationship, emotional distress and self-harming behaviour.

Barnardos chief executive Matt Reid said due to funding reductions, it had to make the ”really impossible decision“ for funding to stop for its helpline service.

Government funding makes up about half of the helpline’s operational costs. Barnardos also offers services for young people in care and social work and some foster care work.

“It's broader than just for our helpline service. There are other reductions too, and we've had to make some really, really difficult decisions together about where those reductions come from,” Reid said.

Asked if Barnardos had seen a reduction in the use of its services, Reid said, “no, far from it”.

“There was talk of changes not impacting on front line, but changes are absolutely impacting on front line.

“I guess this is all part of the wider squeeze on the public sector, which is impacting providers like Barnardos, and we're not alone.

“We are obviously doing what we can to play our part, albeit gravely concerned around some of the consequences of these reductions.”

Reid said “worst case scenario is that we have to close the service”.

“I would be extremely gutted in if that was the case. It is a risk … that's a lot of funding that we're going have to find.”

From now until July 1, Reid said it was going to try “absolutely everything” to keep the helpline going ‒ going to other government agencies, businesses and seeking donations.

Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive (Investment) Darrin Haimona said it recognised “the important work Barnardos undertakes in our community, and that is why we are their largest funder and will continue to be so into the next financial year”.

“While we are still in negotiations with Barnardos we cannot go into specific details around what funding they receive.

“We acknowledge Barnardos leadership in the sector and will to continue to work with them. Our core focus is to ensure the needs of children who come to our attention are met.”

“Anyone who is worried about a tamaiti or rangatahi can make a report of concern to Oranga Tamariki by calling freephone 0508 326 459 or if you believe a child is in immediate danger call the Police on 111.”