Sometimes, families may need extra support and we want to make sure people get the right help at the right time. In the first instance, you might seek help from friends and family and ‘universal’ service providers such as your GP, health visitor, your child’s early years provider or school. You can also look at what support is available locally through the Family Information Service and the Local Offer.

If you are a professional or community provider working with a child or young person and their family – and you agree with the family that help would be beneficial, you can speak to our Early Help Hub:

Professionals can call 01305 228558

The Early Help Hub is available Monday-Thursday 9am – 5pm, Friday 9am – 4pm

Email us for a call back: earlyhelphub@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

If you’re a member of the public with concerns about a child, you can call the team on 01305 228866.

You might want to think about calling a ‘Team Around the Family’ (TAF). This can help you bring together different professionals and create an outcome-focused plan to make sure the family gets all the help they need. You must gain consent from the family to do this. Our Early Help team members in the Early Help Hub can advise you. They can also link you to the local early help team.

Dorset Council also provides training called ‘Safeguarding through Early Help – Understanding Your Role’ which is available across the county at various locations and online. You can book a place on this via Nexus

Each Dorset Council Locality includes an early help team. Some of the work we undertake includes:

• Group work with children and young people

• Parent support groups

• Help with periods of change in a child or young person’s life

• Direct work with families

• Advice, support and guidance to other professionals

For more information including contact details for each locality, please visit DorsetForYou

BCP Council Early Help Services

Our aim is for every child to be safe, healthy and to achieve the best possible outcomes. BCP Council Early Help teams aim to support children and young people in their learning and development at all stages of their lives through a locality-based approach that includes assessment and family support, early years services, school inclusion services, information advice and guidance to families and a broad range of learning, development and parenting programmes. 

Early Help services are designed to be responsive and targeted to children, young people and families, providing the right help at the right time. Our teams are based within the community, working for the community, alongside children (pre-birth to age 19, or up to 25 if a young adult has identified Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities

), their families, their support networks and our partners to overcome barriers, build resilience and to improve outcomes.

Find information on BCP Council Family Hubs, Outreach Centres and Children's Centres and our programme and Early Help Family Support Offer.

Find out more about BCP Council Early Help Teams.

Contact the Children's First Response MASH if you:

• are worried a child or young person is at risk of, or is being hurt or abused

• know of a child or young person who may be vulnerable without additional help and support

• want to know more about the services available to support children, young people and their families