Delivering free school meals to children over the Easter holidays
Dorset Council have received Government funding to provide additional support this Easter to children who receive benefits-related free schools meals.
We want to hear from young people with special educational needs or disabilities and their parents and carers.
Dorset Council and our partners are determined to work together to transform the way we work with children and young people with special educational needs or a disability (SEND) and their families.
Dorset schools and colleges look forward to welcoming all students back
Dorset Council has been working with schools and colleges to make sure that all pupils are welcomed back safely from 8 March.
Massive response to Dorset Council’s recent childcare survey
Earlier this year, we asked parents and carers to help us shape future childcare provision in Dorset.
Domestic abuse support still available
With the continued pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dorset residents experiencing domestic abuse are reminded they can get confidential advice and support.
Calls to Dorset Digital Hotline almost triple during lockdown
A special hotline set up to help people with digital enquiries has seen the number of calls it receives almost triple during this latest lockdown. From January 5 to February 5, the Dorset Digital Hotline received 132 calls – its biggest ever monthly total and nearly three times the average monthly calls it received in… Read more Calls to Dorset Digital Hotline almost triple during lockdown
Step Up to a career in child and family social work
Are you interested in a career in Social Work working with children and families with Dorset Council?
Dorset schools and colleges look forward to welcoming all students back
Dorset Council has been working with schools and colleges to make sure that all pupils are welcomed back safely from 8 March.
200th child placed with their forever family
Aspire Adoption, one of the country’s first Regional Adoption Agencies, has placed its 200th child with their forever family.
Dorset Council approves proposals for budget 2021-22
Dorset Council has agreed to increase its budget for financial year 2021-22 to just under £313m (from £304m the year before).
Police dogs go back to school
Throughout this current lockdown period Dorset Council and Dorset Police are working together on training Police dogs by using space made available by the council at the old Wimborne First School.
Have your say on important site
Dorset Council is asking local people and community groups for their views on the future of the former St Mary’s school site near Shaftesbury, which the council purchased last month.
Funding to help with drug and alcohol misuse
Dorset Council has been successful in securing £306,713 in funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care and managed by Public Health England. It is one of just four local authority areas in the south west to receive funding through this programme, and… Read more Funding to help with drug and alcohol misuse
Time is running out to apply for help with utility bills this winter
The deadline to apply for help with the costs of utility bills like gas, electric and water this winter is 12 February.
Holocaust Memorial Day – a time for remembrance and reflection
Wednesday 27 January marks Holocaust Memorial Day. It is the day we remember the millions of people who died during the Holocaust, under Nazi persecution, and in the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. Held every year, it falls on the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where more… Read more Holocaust Memorial Day – a time for remembrance and reflection
Dorset Council’s vision for important site unveiled
Dorset Council has unveiled ambitious ideas to transform the St Mary’s site near Shaftesbury potentially providing better educational opportunities for Dorset children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Important site will remain a community resource
A former school site will remain a resource for Dorset after being secured by the council.
Dorset Council ambitious for former school site
Dorset Council is working to secure St Mary’s School near Shaftesbury so it can remain an asset to our community.
Voting safely at this year’s elections
On Thursday 6 May 2021 residents in the Dorset Council area will go to the polls for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections and several town/parish council by-elections.
Don’t miss the deadline to apply for school places next September
Is your child starting school for the first time or moving onto junior or middle school next year?
Coronavirus helpline for parents and carers
Are you worried about how your child is coping with the coronavirus crisis and lockdown? Dorset Council’s Educational Psychology Service has set-up a helpline to support those who are worried about their child or teenager during the lockdown. Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Early Help, said: “These are difficult… Read more Coronavirus helpline for parents and carers
Dorset Council’s Cabinet to consider proposals for budget 2021-22
Dorset Council’s budget proposals for financial year 2021-22 go to the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 19 January for approval.
Dorset Council ambitious for former school site
Dorset Council is working to secure St Mary’s School near Shaftesbury so it can remain an asset to our community.
Dorset’s Digital Hotline can help people use their Christmas gadget gifts
People who received a device for Christmas and unsure how to use it are being urged to contact Dorset’s free Digital Hotline for help. The Dorset Council hotline is manned by a team of Digital Champion volunteers who have already helped hundreds of people get online. It is estimated that 150,000 people in Dorset lack… Read more Dorset’s Digital Hotline can help people use their Christmas gadget gifts
Where you can get support at Christmas
Help is never far away for anyone struggling this Christmas. Organisations across Dorset are there to offer support, and friendly advisers are at the end of the phone and ready to talk.
Support for families this winter
Vulnerable families in Dorset will receive help with the costs of food and fuel this winter.
The deadline to apply for school places is fast approaching!
Is your child starting school for the first time or moving onto junior or middle school next year?
Dorset Council presents proposals for budget 2021-22
Dorset Council has published its initial proposals to deliver a balanced budget next financial year, 2021-22. These proposals will go to both the Place & Resources Scrutiny Committee and the People & Health Scrutiny Committee for consideration on 11 December.
Dorset joins regional campaign to recruit more foster carers
Dorset Council are joining forces with other local authorities across the south west region this Christmas to call for more people to consider becoming foster carers.
Dorset libraries and TICs re-opening
All 23 Dorset Council libraries will be open from Wednesday 2 December.
