The CAMHS service helps children and young people in Dorset who are experiencing significant mental health issues, as well as their families, but there are lots of other local services and resources that can provide support if you're worried about your child, or looking for a little advice.
Our section on What's in Dorset for Me? contains a guide to local and national organisations that can provide support, advice and counselling to young people. You can also find links to more advice and support on specific issues and under our section on Feelings & Emotions.
In addition, the organisations below can provide support to parents and carers - use the dropdown menus to find contact details and website links.
It's important to remember your own wellbeing as a parent too, and to seek help should you need it. If you have concerns about your own mental health, make an appointment to chat to your GP, or you can self-refer to Steps 2 Wellbeing if you are struggling with anxiety or depression.
Please note restricted hours may apply for some helplines. Check websites for details.
Family Lives
Advice and support for parents. Offers email support, online chat, Skype, local groups and more
Tel: 0808 800 2222
www.familylives.org.uk
Gingerbread
Help for single parents, including expert advice, information and practical support.
Tel: 0808 802 0925
www.gingerbread.org.uk
Netmums
Online parenting support for mums or mums to be. Offers information on local groups, as well as advice and online forums.
www.netmums.com
SENDIASS
Information, advice and support for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and their parents/carers.
Contact A Family
Advice for families with disabled children. Can make contact with other families, and provide lots of information about different medical conditions
Tel: 0808 808 3555
www.cafamily.org.uk
LiveWell Dorset
Public health service that supports the health and wellbeing of residents in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset
www.livewelldorset.co.uk
Dorset Family Partnership Zones
Family Partnership Zones can provide family support workers for families in difficulty, but who don't meet the social care threshold. They can also advise on the availability of other local support for Christchurch families. Professionals can refer, or families can make a request for support directly. Find out more here.
Zone name | Phone | |
---|---|---|
Chesil | chesilfamilypartnershipzone@dorsetcc.gov.uk | 01305 225750 |
West Dorset | westfamilypartnershipzone@dorsetcc.gov.uk | 01308 421714 |
Dorchester | dorchesterfamilypartnershipzone@dorsetcc.gov.uk | 01305 221348 |
Purbeck | purbeckfamilypartnershipzone@dorsetcc.gov.uk | 01305 225729 |
Christchurch | christchurchfamilypartnershipzone@dorsetcc.gov.uk | 01202 225724 |
East Dorset | eastfamilypartnershipzone@dorsetcc.gov.uk | 01202 225710 |
North Dorset | northfamilypartnershipzone@dorsetcc.gov.uk | 01305 224310 |
Local parent carer forums/support groups -
Dorset Parent Training & Education
Bournemouth Learning Centre, Ensbury Avenue, Bournemouth, Dorset
Contact information
Bournemouth Learning Centre: 01202 525643
Poundbury Business Centre: 01305 753657
Email: bdpadvocacy@actionforchildren
The Discovery Project
The Project offers opportunities for Young People, their families and supporters to develop an understanding of recovery.
Acts Fast:
Helping families, parents and carers impacted by child sexual abuse and indecent images with therapeutic trauma and counselling support. Friendly, supportive, and non-judgmental support from experts in trauma informed care for families going through emotional crisis.
Referrals and full-service info: www.actsfast.org.uk
Email: support@actsfast.org.uk
Answerphone: 01202 797217
Young Minds - For Parents
A fantastic resource of information from Young Minds designed specifically for parents and carers, including a Parents Support A-Z, Parents Survival Guide and Parents Helpline.
Helpline: 0808 802 5544
youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents
Young People's Mental Health - Royal College of Psychiatrists
Professional advice and information for parents on a huge range of mental health issues and topics
www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/parents-and-young-people
MindEd - learning resources for families
www.minded.org.uk
The MindEd website includes resources and learning tools that will be helpful to parents. Check out the video below for a guide to how to access them:
Charlie Waller Memorial Trust - resources for parents
Free resources and downloadable packs for parents on depression and self-harm
www.cwmt.org.uk/resources
NHS Apps library
Links to a range of apps from the NHS to support wellbeing and better health
apps.beta.nhs.uk
NSPCC - Worried About A Child helpline
Tel: 0808 800 5000
www.nspcc.org.uk/services-and-resources/nspcc-helpline/