Please check here for all related safeguarding communications and information from our partners across Dorset
Posted 1 August 2020
Public Health Dorset have sent out this announcement. ‘Please be aware that tablets are in circulation in the south west, including Dorset, that are causing severe adverse reactions. We’d like to raise awareness of these potentially harmful drugs to help keep people safe. If you are aware of people using substances, please advise them to take extra care at the moment. Good advice is to break down any tablets into their smallest dose – as little a quarter of your ‘usual’ dose. Wait longer than normal as some of these unknown and ever-changing drugs have a very slow ‘kick in’. Don’t use alone, and make sure someone who isn’t using is able to check in with you. If you or anyone else with you does have an adverse reaction, don’t delay calling for help.’
Briefing on Summer Substance Misuse in Dorset 2020 [1]
Here are various posters for either staff of young people themselves:
Harm Reduction for Ecstasy – poster [2]
Harm Reduction MDMA – words poster [3]
#TellSomeone if you feel unsafe 
[4]
A new campaign from the local Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Partnership asks children and young people to #TellSomeone if they feel unsafe.
The campaign will take place across a range of social media channels, targeting different age groups from primary school upwards, telling them to tell someone they trust or call national charity Childline if they feel unsafe in their environment during the current lockdown conditions.
A spokesperson for the partnership said “It can be hard for children and young people to understand what is going on at the moment as virtually every aspect of their daily routine has changed.
“For some children this period of isolation has left them without their usual support systems such as teachers, extended family and friends. This lack of regular contact with trusted people can put children at increased risk of abuse or neglect, so we are asking people to check on family, friends and loved ones and contact the relevant teams should they or you need support.
We are also asking everyone who uses social media to share our messages when they see them as they could help a child or young person who is stuck in a situation where they feel unsafe to seek the help they need.”
For more information, search for #TellSomeone on social media or visit www.pdscp.co.uk [5]
The new Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership replaces the two previous Local Safeguarding Children Boards.
The partnership is jointly and equally led by Dorset Police, NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council and Dorset Council and is responsible for the leadership and multi-agency coordination of the safeguarding arrangements across Dorset, working to strengthen collaboration, learn from local and national practice and continuously improve services to enable children and young people across Dorset to feel safe in their homes and out in the community.
Posted: 4 May 2020 – Dorset Council
The Happy Families, Happy Futures Programme
Are you supporting a family who are struggling with their relationships?
The Happy Families, Happy Futures programme [6]is designed to improve communication and ease tension between parents or carers, supporting a happy environment for their children.
The support is available for parents who are in a relationship or separated and includes step-parents, adoptive parents and those who have caring responsibilities for children, e.g. grandparents and other individuals where there is a Residence Order. Expecting parents who are separated can also access support.
There are 4 types of interventions depending on the family’s individual circumstances:
Family Transitions Triple P is for:
* separated parents or those going through divorce/separation
* expecting parents
Incredible Years Advance is for:
* parents in a relationship
* parents with a child aged 4 – 12 years
Within My Reach is for:
* separated parents
* expecting parents
Family Check-Up is for:
* parents in a relationship and separated parents
* parents with children aged 2 – 17 years
If you require further information please contact the Referral Gateway Team
on 01305 228460 or HappyFamiliesHappyFutures@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk [7]
Posted: 27 March 2020
New domestic abuse campaign launched amid concern over increase in cases
Police and other organisations across Dorset are raising awareness around domestic abuse amid concerns it may increase over the coming weeks due to the impact of Coronavirus.
[8]Communities are being reassured they will still have access to vital support services despite the current uncertainty.
A new campaign will highlight the fact that whatever type of abuse takes place – whether it is physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or financial – the abuser is trying to control the victim and uses abuse or violence to achieve that control. It will also tell victims how to access help and support.
The campaign, being launched digitally, aims both to raise awareness that domestic abuse may increase with people self-isolating, and to provide reassurance that help is available during these unprecedented times.
Superintendent Gemma Morris of Dorset Police said: “Sadly, Covid-19 may cause a rise in domestic abuse and the cycle of violence may intensify with people having to isolate themselves, and those who may be experiencing it may be unsure how to access support.
“We are committed to the safety of children and families experiencing domestic abuse and it is important that victims know how and where to get advice and support.”
[9]
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, Martyn Underhill, is responsible for delivering victim care in the area and works closely with partner agencies to ensure help is on hand to those who need it, including victims of domestic abuse.
He said: “We’re in an unprecedented situation and we have to prepare for all eventualities, which unfortunately includes the possibility that a period of mass isolation means we’ll see an increase in cases of domestic abuse.
“Sadly, some children could be safer when they attend school regularly, as teachers are able to spot signs that something might be wrong at home and report this to the authorities.
“I want to reassure victims that despite the current uncertainty, support is still available for them and they don’t need to wait for lockdown or self-isolation to end before they get help.
“Remember, domestic abuse doesn’t just mean violence – it also includes the new offences of coercive and controlling behaviour in which perpetrators psychologically manipulate their victims. If you’re experiencing any form of abuse you do not have to put up with it, and even if you don’t want to report it to the police there is a wide range of support available to you, such as the Victim Support Live Chat service.”
Help available
If you or your children are in immediate danger you should call 999. However there are many other ways you can access help from specialist services.
In a non-emergency, you can also report a crime 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 101, using the 101 webchat, or the online crime reporting form – both on the force website – www.dorset.police.uk.
There’s also a useful AskNed system that provides online advice on a range of issues and by signing up to Neighbourhood Alert regular updates and information can be received from the OPCC.
Dorset Council – You First – 0800 032 5204
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole – Outreach (24 hours) – 01202 710 777
Victim Support [10] provides emotional and practical help to victims of crime in Dorset, and have a dedicated team which specialises in helping victims of domestic abuse.
You can get help from the Dorset team by calling 0300 3030 163 – Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 09.00 – 18.00. and late on Tuesday and Thursday: 09.00 – 20.00.
Outside of these times you can still access their services 24/7 through their national supportline on 0808 16 89111 or their free and anonymous Live Chat service [11]
Other help:
The National Domestic Violence Helpline [12] is a freephone number available on 0808 2000247 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
http://safelives.org.uk/news-views/domestic-abuse-and-covid-19 [13] This portal provides advice for victims and professionals
Women’s Aid [14]– email and online chat room 10-12pm Monday to Friday
24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247
Respect helpline 0808 802 4040 (for anyone worried that they may be harming someone else)
Crime can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers [15] on 0800 555 111 or via its website –
The situation continues to change rapidly so for up to date advice on the Covid-19 virus please visit the Force website [16] or the Government website [17]
You can listen to an audio clip by Supt Gemma Morris [18], talking about domestic violence and how to get help
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Posted: 27 March 2020
The Dorset charity, Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services (STARS Dorset), is increasing the availability of its Telephone Support Line throughout the COVID-19 period.
STARS Dorset’s Telephone Support Line is for anyone who has been affected by sexual violence such as rape, child abuse and sexual assault at anytime in their life. As well as the charity’s existing clients, people who have not accessed their services before can call for support and those who are supporting survivors of sexual violence in a personal or professional capacity can also use the service. In addition, the charity will be increasing the availability of their online Live Chat service, which is available through their website, www.starsdorset.org.
The Charity’s Telephone Support Line number is 01202 308855 and the service will be available at the following times:
Mondays 10am -12pm and 3pm – 5pm,
Tuesdays 10am -12pm and 3pm – 5pm,
Wednesdays 10am -12pm, 3pm – 5pm and 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Thursdays 10am -12pm, 3pm – 5pm and 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Fridays 10am -12pm, 3pm – 5pm and 7.30pm – 9.30pm
The charity’s Counselling Service and Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) Service will continue to provide support but no face to face support will be available until further notice.
For general enquiries (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday) call the charity’s main number 01202 308840 or email: info@starsdorset.org [19].
For those wanting to submit a referral, all relevant information can be found on their website www.starsdorset.org [20].