Worried about a child

You're concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person in the Dorset area

If you're worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person who lives in Dorset contact our Family Support and Advice Line.

When you call us we can talk to you about confidentiality and how we are going to use any information you give us.

Speak to a practitioner today if you have any worries or concerns about a child or young person.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday: 8am to 10pm

Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays: 9am to 10pm

For out of hours emergencies call: 01305 221000

See our adult abuse page for contact details for young people aged 18 to 25.

Find out more about child exploitation and when to report it.

Contact your local family support team

You can speak to family support in your locality, if you are already receiving help or support from us:

Localities on a map of Dorset

See a map of our localities:

SEND workers within each locality

Each locality will have its own SEND team of professionals led by a SEND team manager, with a family worker and provision lead.

The SEND team supporting you will be based on where you live, not where your child goes to school.

The new SEND teams will include family support workers and educational psychologists all working together.

The child you're concerned about has a social worker

If the child you're concerned about already has a social worker contact your locality.

The Children's Social Care teams provide a statutory social work service. This means they work with children, young people and their families who are considered in need, children who are subject to a plan for protection and a small number of children who are in care. 

Social workers have legal child protection duties but they also work proactively to help prevent difficulties starting or repeating. 
All our children's social care teams work closely with other professionals and agencies, including:

• early years education providers
• schools health services
• community-based professionals

You're concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person in the Christchurch area

Contact BCP Council Children's First Response:

Mental health support

Find mental health and wellbeing support for a child or young person.

What to report

The following websites are useful for you if you're worried about a child or for children who want to speak to someone:

• NSPCC for information about the different types of child abuse and what you should do if you're worried about a child
• Childline for private and confidential phone calls for children up to 18 years
• Bullying UK for support for children and young people who are being bullied
• Frank for friendly, confidential advice and questions about drugs
• Anti-Bullying Alliance for information about how to stop bullying
• Think U Know for keeping children and young people safe online
• CEOP for developing child safeguarding policies and providing advice on making the internet safer for young people

What to do if you're worried about child sexual abuse.

Domestic abuse

Find help if you've experienced any form of domestic abuse. This includes:

• victim support
• courses for survivors
• support for children and young people who have seen domestic abuse

Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership (DSCP)

The DSCP brings together information for:

• children
• young people
• their families
• anyone who works with children and families