Children in care notifications

Placing local authorities (LAs)

If an LA intends to place a child or young person in Dorset (or has already placed a child in an emergency), the placing LA should notify us as soon as possible. We need to be aware of any risks or vulnerabilities for the child or the placement so that services in Dorset can respond effectively to any issues that arise. If you're unsure whether the placement is in Dorset,  find out which LA it's in:

It is important that any changes to the child's placement or circumstances should be sent to the same email address. We will contact the placing authority every 6 months to confirm that the information on our records is correct.

Contact us by email

You can contact us by emailing: childrensadviceanddutyservice@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

We can consult and offer information and advice on:

Residential homes and independent fostering providers

Information relating to children and young people that are placed in Dorset from other LAs in residential provision, residential school and independent fostering providers should be sent to us. This information offers confirmation that we have been notified by the placing authority that the child is in our area.

You will receive confirmation by return email that this information has been received.

The assessment of appropriate and suitable location of a children's home

The registered person from the Dorset based residential provision or residential school should contact us.

We will respond with information regarding its awareness of any risks or concerns regarding the location of the provision and if necessary will identify how we mitigate against those identified risks or concerns. Make sure you're clear if you want specific information.

Making a 'Distant Placement' in Dorset

When an LA is placing a child in Dorset and where Dorset is a 'distant' authority (where the LA is not adjoining Dorset) you can request an 'assessment of appropriateness' by emailing us.

Consulting or contacting Dorset looked after children nurses

Contact us to reach the looked after children nurses.

More information about looked after children

Find out about:

• looked after children school admissions by contacting the Head of the Virtual School Team
• the work of the Dorset Virtual School and contact details
• childcare and other activities for children and families