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.
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.
Free bikes for children’s cycle training
Not having your own bike doesn’t need to be a barrier to learning to cycle for Dorset youngsters, thanks to 20 bicycles gifted to Dorset Council.
‘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
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.
Dorset foster carers get above inflation uplift in financial payments
Dorset Council foster carers and supported lodgings carers now benefit from an increase to their financial payment of 15 per cent from 1 April with a further increase of 12.43 per cent being added to the allowance part of the payment.
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.
Do you have what it takes to ‘Step Up’ to social work?
A new programme has launched to recruit social workers which you can apply for through Dorset Council. The ‘Step Up’ to Social Work programme is a 14-month training course, which offers hands-on experience of working in a real-life social work role through placements in the Dorset Council area, whilst undertaking the qualification. This is a… Read more Do you have what it takes to ‘Step Up’ to social work?
Reading is my superpower – Chesil children receive special edition Dorset Library Card
Children from schools in Weymouth and Portland, known as the Chesil area, now have an exciting new reason to visit their library. All year seven children from schools in the Chesil area, are awarded bespoke, superhero library cards to foster a love of reading and encourage them to make use of their local library, where… Read more Reading is my superpower – Chesil children receive special edition Dorset Library Card
Schools bring the joy of Christmas to older residents
Schools across Weymouth and Portland are bringing seasonal cheer to residents across the area with a video of Christmas readings from their pupils. Seven schools who are part of the Chesil Reading Project, have recorded their pupils reading Christmassy stories. These stories are being shared with residents in Dorset to bring some festive cheer –… Read more Schools bring the joy of Christmas to older residents
Free Christmas holiday Swimming sessions for children and young people.
Dorset Council residents under the age of 16 are able to access free swimming from 17th December to the 1st of January in many of the leisure centres across the county. This opportunity follows on from the success of the free swimming available over this years summer holiday that saw almost 30,000 sessions… Read more Free Christmas holiday Swimming sessions for children and young people.
Artz and Sportz is proving popular with disabled children and their families in Dorset
Dorset Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families, who may need some extra support, are invited to enjoy the forthcoming activities of the ‘Artz & Sportz’ Dorset Council project. The project has seen the Christmas holiday 2022 programme featuring Cinderella at Poole Lighthouse in particularly high demand and many events are… Read more Artz and Sportz is proving popular with disabled children and their families in Dorset
You can get a FREE pre-loved coat for your child
Over the past few weeks, Dorset Council Children’s Centres in Blandford and Shaftesbury have been asking the public to donate coats for children aged 0 – 16 to support families in the area struggling with the cost of living. There has been a fantastic response to the appeal and thanks to the Dorset public’s kind… Read more You can get a FREE pre-loved coat for your child
Partnership to support vulnerable women in Dorset
A project which will help vulnerable women in Dorset has come one step closer to realisation. Dorset Council has appointed BCHA, a charitable housing association based in the south west, to lead the Pause Programme. Pause is a nationally evaluated programme which works with women who have experienced, or are at risk of, repeated pregnancies… Read more Partnership to support vulnerable women in Dorset
New lead for Education and Learning announced
Dorset Council has appointed a new Corporate Director for Education and Learning, following a rigorous recruitment and interview process.
Literacy gets the superhero treatment in Chesil
Local author David Solomons visits six schools to celebrate entries of Chesil Reading Project’s creative writing competition, and reveal new mascot designed by local student. The National Literacy Trust and Dorset Council teamed up earlier this year to support the literacy development of Chesil pupils transitioning from Year 6 to Year 7. Research from the… Read more Literacy gets the superhero treatment in Chesil
Weymouth has a new, bright and cosy children’s home
Take a tour of The Harbour Hub and College House. Watch the VIDEO Young people and their families, who need that extra bit of support, will benefit from a brand-new facility in Weymouth. Dorset Council has opened a children’s home named ‘College House’ and an innovative children’s outreach centre ‘The Harbour Hub,’ both located in… Read more Weymouth has a new, bright and cosy children’s home
Extra funding for families and schools
There’s a lot to think about now the children are back at school, so families on qualifying benefits are reminded to check if their child or children could receive a free school meal.
Free Christmas fun for people with SEND aged 16 to 25
Fun days, workshops, sports and youth club hang-outs are among free activities being offered to Dorset’s young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Changes made to education provision following Ombudsman investigation
Dorset Council has made changes to the way it provides alternative education for children who are unable to go to school.
Family Hubs project wins a boost to funding
Families across Dorset will benefit from a huge boost to funding for a project that is currently underway.
Celebration for people who have helped change children’s lives
Foster carers from across Dorset have been recognised at an awards ceremony in Weymouth.
New school to welcome its first pupils
Coombe House School, Shaftesbury will open for children with special educational needs on Monday 16 May.
