One year of Mockingbird support for Dorset’s foster families
This month marks the one-year anniversary of Dorset’s first ever Mockingbird constellation – Pegasus.
Could you offer a stepping stone to a young person leaving care?
Supported Lodgings can help young people who are leaving our care, experience the transition to adulthood in a safe and secure environment, whilst learning emotional and practical skills that will help them thrive.
Businesses support Dorset’s care leavers
In light of National Care Leavers’ Week, taking place from Wednesday 25 October to Wednesday 1 November, we urge our local community, organisations and businesses to lend their support to care-experienced young people in their community, as they head into adulthood.
What is it like to adopt?
What is it like to adopt? That is the question Aspire, the adoption agency for Dorset Council, has asked adopters as part of a new short film to encourage people across the county to consider adoption.
Young people ‘takeover’ Dorset Council
This year’s Takeover Challenge saw young people ‘takeover’ some of the top roles and responsibilities at Dorset Council.
Support for Dorset’s foster carers set to expand
Dorset Council is set to launch two new Mockingbird constellations this year, enabling more than 25 per cent of its foster carers to have access to 24/7 wrap-around support and an invaluable extended family support network.
Services for care leavers in Dorset have been significantly strengthened says Ofsted
Dorset Council has significantly strengthened the support and services available for young people who have spent time in care, a recent visit from Ofsted (the office for standards in education) has found.
First ‘Local Offer Live’ hailed a success
Dorset Council, in partnership with NHS Dorset and Dorset Parent Carer Council, has delivered its first ever Local Offer Live. A fortnight of events for parents, caregivers and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Scheme helping vulnerable and disadvantaged families in Dorset marks its 10th year
Practitioners, service providers and partners came together this month to celebrate 10 years of Dorset Families Matter, a government funded support scheme which helps the county’s most vulnerable families.
Dorset professionals hear children’s thoughts on ‘Belonging’
Two days of conferences, both with the theme of ‘Belonging’, were held at Durlston Country Park recently for those working in education, health, the emergency services and the community and voluntary sector to look at how they could improve the lives of young people in Dorset through the work they do.
Autism in Schools pilot launched
Autistic children and young people in Dorset will have a better educational experience following the recent launch of the Autism in Schools Project which will improve the approach of the whole school, both students and teaching staff, to understanding autism.
Dorset Council Director gains national award
Dorset Council’s Executive Director for Children’s Services, Theresa Leavy, has been named as the Municipal Journal’s (MJ) Corporate Director of the Year
Council pledges more support for young carers
Dorset Council is strengthening the help it gives to young carers. Firstly, the council wants to identify all young carers in the county and assess the impact of caring has on the child.
Chesil Youth Pride 2023 – celebrating Dorset’s LGBTQI+ young people
On Saturday 17 June, the first ever Chesil Youth Pride took place – hosted by Dorset Council, Weymouth College, Space Youth Project, The Drop-In (Portland) and Dorset Police. Chesil Youth Pride 2023 started with a stall holder event at Weymouth College, followed by a group parade along Weymouth Esplanade for those who wished to take… Read more Chesil Youth Pride 2023 – celebrating Dorset’s LGBTQI+ young people
Are you ready to read this summer?
Children aged 4-11 have an opportunity to get involved in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge! This year’s challenge, brought to you by Dorset Council’s library service, is starting on the 1 July 2023.
Award-winning children’s author visits Portland to encourage library membership
Last Friday (16 June), Waterstones Children’s Laureate (2022-2024) Joseph Coelho, visited Dorset Council’s Tophill library on Portland, as part of his nationwide ‘Library Marathon’ tour.
Get your skates on and make a difference to young people’s lives
Organisations that work with Dorset’s young people are being urged to get their skates on and bid for funding that could help transform lives. They have until 14 June to get on board and be in with a chance of securing funding from Dorset Council. The Dorset Youth Fund helps groups and clubs make a… Read more Get your skates on and make a difference to young people’s lives
How Dorset Council is supporting children in care
The outlook for children in care and care leavers in the Dorset Council area has seen improvements over the last twelve months following a busy and productive year. These were the headlines which were delivered to a recent meeting of the Corporate Parenting board. Councillor Byron Quayle, portfolio holder for children, education, skills and early… Read more How Dorset Council is supporting children in care
£200K funding boost to combat drug use in Dorset
Dorset has been selected to receive Government funding worth £200K to reduce demand for illicit substances in a study to research and develop interventions with young people that can be tested locally. The funding is part of a 10-year plan Government plan to cut crime and save lives by reducing the supply and demand for… Read more £200K funding boost to combat drug use in Dorset
‘Loving’ Dorset Council director shortlisted for a national award
An inspiring leader who is helping to transform the lives of families and young people across Dorset has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award. Dorset Council’s Executive Director for Children’s Services, Theresa Leavy, is a finalist in the Municipal Journal’s (MJ) Achievement Awards. Theresa, who has worked at the council since 2020, has been… Read more ‘Loving’ Dorset Council director shortlisted for a national award
Another opportunity for voluntary and community groups to apply to the Dorset Youth Grant
Young people are to benefit for another year from a £100,000 fund through Dorset Council Youth organisations. The fund supports a range of activities for young people with grants being offered from £500 to £5,000. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday 14 June to be considered. Organisations working with young people can apply for grants… Read more Another opportunity for voluntary and community groups to apply to the Dorset Youth Grant
Foster Care Fortnight: Meet our foster carers
This Foster Care Fortnight, we want to shine a light on some of the foster carers who are changing the lives of Dorset’s children and young people.
Find out more about Fostering with Dorset Council
Join us this Foster Care Fortnight (15-28 May) to find out more about fostering with Dorset Council.
Helping Dorset’s care leavers to live independently
Tuesday 18 April 2023, saw the official opening of a new purpose-built accommodation in Weymouth, which will provide homes for up to twelve young people leaving care.
Young people taking the lead
Young people from Dorset had a chance to discuss how they can make Dorset an even better place to be a child when they came together recently at a Youth Voice Residential.
Young care leavers help shape services for others
A new report shows a three-year pilot scheme trialled by eight local authorities, one of them Dorset Council, has made a real difference in helping young people leaving care to build happy and successful lives.
New Health and Wellbeing Hub in Swanage given the green light
Proposals for the opening of a Health and Wellbeing Family Hub in Swanage in conjunction with Swanage & Purbeck Development Trust have been given the green light at Cabinet.
New project to support local families
Families will benefit from extra support from today with the launch of a new programme to help keep the whole family safe and well. The pilot project, Safeguarding Families Together, will improve the health and education outcomes for children and support the aim of making Dorset the best place to be a child. The pilot has… Read more New project to support local families
Dorset’s care leavers in search of rental properties
Dorset Council is inviting private landlords to work in partnership with them to provide good quality accommodation for young people leaving the care of the council.
Youth Fund launches to provide positive opportunities for young people
Young people are set to benefit from a £100,000 fund which youth organisations can apply for through Dorset Council. Dorset Council’s Youth Fund provides funding for initiatives which deliver youth projects and activities within the Dorset Council area. It’s a fund of £100,000 to support a range of activities for young people. We offer grants… Read more Youth Fund launches to provide positive opportunities for young people
