A Government report shows that calls to the helpline increased by more than 70 per cent between August 2002 and March 2003 and that it was dealing with a far higher level of need than was initially envisaged.
Many of the calls were of a complex and severe nature.
Volunteer recruitment difficulties were highlighted as a problem, but Parentline Plus said this was not unusual for helplines. A spokeswoman added: "We have more than 200 volunteer staff based throughout the country and are playing an active role in retraining people who go on to paid work." Parentline Plus was recently awarded 5m from the Department for Education and Skills (Funding Watch, 23-29 June) to help it expand its services.
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