Engaging with young people in Dorset

Targeted Youth Teams are out in towns across Dorset this winter, making sure that young people have the opportunity talk to them about issues that impact them, and things that might be worrying them. The Targeted Youth Teams also help support alongside partners from community safety and the police, keeping young people safe from harm. 

The Targeted Youth Teams will be easily recognisable as they will be wearing fluorescent yellow Dorset Council backpacks when working within the community and will be wearing their ID badges. 

The aim of our Targeted Youth Workers is to engage with young people, in the places and spaces they spend their time in to build relationships and seek to understand their views. They provide support and guide them to additional resources when necessary, collaborating closely with partner organisations. 

Cllr Clare Sutton, Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, said; “Our Targeted Youth Workers play a vital role within our communities when it comes to safeguarding Dorset’s young people.  

“Unfortunately, young people and children might be at risk of harm when they are out. The work that our Targeted Youth Team does is so important because it improves our understanding of these risks and enables us to engage with children and young people to help keep them safe.” 

How you can help 

We all have a responsibility to keep our young people safe. You may see, hear, or experience things to do with young people in your local area, and if something does not feel right, or you have concerns, then please tell us about it.  

The information you share will help us plan our work to keep young people safe. If you would like to share some information with us, then please get in touch with your area’s locality team. 

If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person who lives in Dorset, contact our Family Support and Advice Line on 01305 228866. 

If a child is in immediate danger, please call the police immediately on 999. To report a crime, do it online: www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online