Information about schools including school admissions and placements, home schooling, free school meals, school transport and policies, SEND in schools and childcare funding.
Directory: Youth and Parenting
#WillDoes
We are a charity fundraising and supporting young people’s mental well-being through activities. We cover Dorset and the surrounding area
BFN Infant Feeding Support Group
Friendly peer led support group offering free infant feeding support, specifically around breastfeeding, pumping and mixed feeding. Refreshments available and activities provided for older siblings. A fun social group for mums to meet and support eachother.
Chat Health NHS Dorset
ChatHealth is a confidential text messaging service that enables children and young people (aged 11-19) in Dorset to send questions via text message to their school nursing team. They will then receive a reply that includes signposting to additional services.
Includes a range of things including: Relationships, Weight, Anxiety, Depression, Drugs, Smoking, Stress, Alcohol, Self harm, Sexual health.
Childline
Information advice and support for children, talk to a counsellor confidentially
Includes a range of things including: Relationships, feelings, bullying, abuse, Anxiety, Depression etc
Dorset Council Family Information Service
Dorset Family Information Service (FIS) is a free, impartial information service for parents and carers of children and young people aged up to 19, or up to 25 years for those with special educational needs or disability (SEND).
Find activities and things to do for families. Support and services, Health and Wellbeing.
Dorset Health Visiting Service
The health visiting service works with children and their families to promote health and wellbeing from the antenatal period up until five years of age.
Health visitors can provide advice and support on a range of health matters including:
- transition to parenthood and early weeks maternal mental health (perinatal depression)
- breastfeeding
- healthy weight, healthy nutrition and physical activity
- managing minor illness and reducing accidents
- health, wellbeing and development of the child, including support to be ready for school.
Drop in at the Focus Centre every Wednesday 10-11.30am for general clinic and baby weighing or Tuesdays 1st and 3rd of each month for newborn hearing check
Dorset School Nursing Team
School nursing teams work with children, families, schools and other agencies to support the health and wellbeing of school-age children across Dorset. Every school in Dorset has a named school nurse, who maintains regular contact with their school to promote healthy lifestyles and offer practical advice, information and support.
The team has links with other health professionals including community paediatricians, health visitors, GPs and speech and language therapists.
Text service Parentline is available on 07312263131
Dorset Youth
Dorset Youth (DY) values, supports and champions the local voluntary sector as they work to strengthen our local communities. The focus is on individuals and organisations working with children, young people and families, and their offer is personable, practical and purposeful. Links to all sorts of things for families and children in Dorset
FAB Dorset Breastfeeding Support Charity
Breastfeeding support for pregnant and breastfeeding families including support with expressing milk and hire of breast pumps.
Social and support coffee mornings as well as virtual support for families as well as virtual support for families who may not be able to make it to a group.
Video support is offered every weekday morning. All support is free.
Wareham in person drop in on a Tuesday mornings 9:30am-11am Not just Sundaes Community Café.
If your child is unwell
Information from Royal college of paediatrics about what to do if your child is unwell.
Mosaic Supporting Bereaved Children
Mosaic support children and young people who have been bereaved of someone special, such as a parent, sibling, friend or a member of their extended family. This includes all causes of death such as long-term illness, sudden death, suicide, murder or road traffic accident.
Parent Talk
Down-to-earth parenting advice you can trust. Find answers to parenting questions in advice articles. Or talk to a parenting coach about anything that’s worrying you. It’s all free, and no topic is too big, small, or embarrassing.
Planet Purbeck
Coming together to care for our countryside, coast and communities. Planet Purbeck are a young organisation, ‘the new kids on the block’ if you like, connecting with the community and developing wonderful friendships as they go.
They’re from all walks of life, with teens through to those in their 80’s getting involved. Coming together like this is creating incredible energy and a nice, tingly feeling of joint purpose.
Seahorses Toddler Group
Weekly Term time playgroup for preschool children and their carers. Lots of fun and games, healthy snack. Everyone welcome no need to book.
Wednesday 9.30am-11am term time only.
Herston Village Hall Jubilee Road, Swanage.
SEND Dorset Local Offer
Find out about help available for children and young people (from birth to 25) who have SEND. This is called the Local Offer.
Swanage Youth Club
A youth club for young people year 6 to 10 in Swanage aiming to help the young people develop their potential and find their purpose. Gaming, football, crafts, cooking and tuck.
Please contact for a registration form – we currently operate a waiting list.