Childline

Analysis

Childline is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in August 1991, 35 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, which this site groups under children and youth development. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02622689). It says it provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, Childline reported income of £1.5m and spending of £1.5m, spending 100% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £926k to £1.5m (+60%), an average of +12% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2024, when income rose by 66%. Over the whole period it spent 100% of the income it received.

Among 5,641 England and Wales charities whose main cause is children and youth development and that reported income, Childline sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 95th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Willow Green (£1.5m), One Community Foundation Limited (£1.5m) and Hedley Foundation Limited (£1.5m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 100%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £1.5m. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.0%.