Family Help in Dorset

In Dorset, we want every child to grow up feeling safe, loved, and happy. All children should have the best possible start in life, enjoy their childhood, and be ready to learn when they start school. Our goal is to help every child do well in school, build confidence, and have the skills they need for a bright and successful future. 

All families face challenges from time to time. These might include changes in:

• health
• disability
• money worries
• relationship difficulties
• housing problems

Many families manage with the support of friends, relatives, or trusted professionals. Support is available through places like Family Hubs, where you can get advice and connect with support services.

What is Family Help? 

Family Help is a new way of offering support to families who need more intensive help and support. It brings together different types of help into one service, so families don’t have to keep repeating their story to several workers. 

What makes Family Help different? 

It brings together targeted early help and social care into one team. 

It’s based in your local community and designed around the needs of children, young people and families. 

It’s delivered by friendly, skilled professionals who have the time and knowledge to really help. 

It’s about working with you, not doing things to you. 

Focuses on your family’s strengths and your support network, to find solutions together. This helps create lasting change and stronger, more resilient families. 

Family Help is consent based. 

What kind of help is available? 

If Family Help is the right option, we will assign a Lead Practitioner to your family. This could be a family worker, social worker or youth worker. They’ll carry out a Child and Family Assessment to understand your situation and make sure we put the right support in place. They will work with you and others such as schools, health, charities, housing and youth workers to put a plan into place to provide your family with support. This support includes: 

• working face to face with children, young people and members of your family 
• providing advice and guidance 
• providing parenting support   
• arranging meetings with you and the people supporting you to review the progress of the plan 
• accessing more specialist support including domestic abuse, substance abuse or mental health 
• support to access resources or funding in some circumstances 
• help to keep your children safe including any risks to them outside of the home or online 

How can I get help? 

You can contact the Family Support and Advice Line on 01305 228558. A friendly team member will listen to your concerns and help you decide what kind of support is right for you. 

Lines are open: 

• Monday to Friday: 8am to 10pm 
• Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays: 9am to 10pm 

Speak to a practitioner today if you have any worries or concerns about a child or young person.