Could you foster a child or young person?
Fostering is rewarding and turns a child’s life around.
We have great foster carers in Dorset but need more to look after our vulnerable children and young people.
Foster carers come from many backgrounds with different life experiences and circumstances. There are different types of fostering, including emergency, short-term or long-term.
If you are aged 21 or over and want to find out more, visit fosterwithdorsetcouncil.com or call 01305 225568.
Supporting Dorset’s children and young people with SEND
As part of our bold and ambitious £37.5 million plan to improve the lives of Dorset children and young people with SEND, we will open our new special school this spring.
Coombe House School, Shaftesbury has fantastic facilities. Around 60 students will join in the first year, growing to 280 students over the next five years.
We are also expanding Beaucroft School in Wimborne with an additional 80 places from September.
If you have concerns about your child
If you feel your child isn’t making the progress they should, and may have special educational needs, talk to one of our specialists.
Call Freephone 0800 14 040 41 to book a conversation with our SEND Family Workers or visit dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/dorset-education-advice-line.
Lines are open 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday (term time).
15 hours funded childcare for 2 year olds
Thousands of 2-year-old Dorset children are entitled to funded childcare.
It covers up to 15 hours of childcare a week (for 38 weeks a year) and can be used with a childminder, a pre-school or at a day nursery. Families on certain benefits, a low income, or receiving a disability living allowance, may be entitled to claim. Check your eligibility.
