Support for children aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Crisis and early help support services

If you need help for yourself, a family member or for someone else there are a range of services that can help.

If your concern is an emergency call 999 immediately.

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Concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person

Contact the Children's Services First Response MASH if you are worried a child or young person is at risk of, or is being hurt or abused.

Between the hours of 5pm to 9am Monday to Friday, Saturdays and bank holidays the Children’s Social Care Out of Hours service is the emergency response service for any child who is in crisis, needs urgent help or is at serious risk of significant harm. They can be contacted on 01202 123334 or email ChildrensOOHS@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

In an emergency, or if you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, call the police on 999.

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Child exploitation

If you know of or suspect child exploitation contact the Children's First Response MASH on 01202 735046 or email childrensfirstresponse@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

You can also contact the Police on 101 or 01202 222222.

If you are a parent with any concerns that your child is being sexually exploited or is at risk, you can also call the parents against child exploitation (PACE) national support team on 0113 240 5226.

Visit the PACE website for further details of support available.

If you are a professional, visit the professionals section of the PACE website to find out more about the work they do.

The NSPCC website also has useful information on child sexual exploitation

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Child sexual abuse

Information on child sexual abuse and support services in Dorset who can help.

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Concerns about the safety or welfare of an adult

Contact details for reporting concerns about the safety of an adult.

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Sexual violence

Sexual violence support from STARS.

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Domestic abuse

Telephone helplines:

24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247

24 hour Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Outreach: 01202 710777

24 hour Dorset County - You First: 0800 032 5204

Further information:

www.dorset.police.uk/abuse-help

www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/dvahelp

Domestic Abuse support information on GOV.UK

Domestic abuse helplines flyer.

The Parental Relationships Spectrum is a tool for professionals to help establish if a relationship is healthy, has conflict or is abusive.

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Radicalisation, terrorist and extremist behaviour

How to report or raise concerns about potential radicalisation, terrorist and extremist behaviour

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Neighbourhood safety

Help and advice from Dorset Police.

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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.

Click here for 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
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