Support for Parents
Financial Support
Dorset Family matters has a wealth of information and links to answer questions you may have about financial support. Click on the link for more information:
Children and family benefits - Dorset Council
#Help and Kindness for Dorset can help with links to the various foodbanks and support centres
Welcome to #HelpAndKindness for Dorset
The Healthy Start scheme is run by NHS England. It provides Healthy Start cards for pregnant women and families with a child under four years old on a low income to buy basic food items.
Dorset HealthCare :: Healthy Start Scheme
Flexible Support Fund for Families
The Flexible Support Fund provides financial assistance to cover the initial costs of childcare, ensuring that parents can access the support they need without delay. This allows you to start work or training without worrying about immediate expenses. The fund is a grant, meaning the money received does not need to be repaid.
Once childcare costs are paid, you can claim up to 85% of these costs back through Universal Credit payments, if you are eligible.
To be eligible for the Flexible Support Fund, you must be receiving Universal Credit and require childcare to start or continue working. To apply, contact your nearest Jobcentre Plus or speak with your work coach if you have one.
For more detailed information, please visit the Universal Credit childcare costs page.
Family Support
Dorset families matter provide support for families with children from babies to teenagers
Parenting support courses - Dorset Council
The Family Counselling Trust can provide support for families and children
Family Counselling Trust | Childrens Mental Health Charity | South England
The Family Advice Communication Education (FACE) can give parents tools to support their children
Dorset Youth can help find activities and organisations for children of all ages
Below is a link to the Autumn edition of All About Family
www.allabout-family.co.uk/south-west/
FACE Support
Parents at Sandford St Martin’s have a unique code that gives them FREE access to the FACE Family Advice sessions. Here are the upcoming sessions for November 2026:
School Nurse Support
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.
School nursing teams have a public health role in working with school aged children and their families, aiming to promote health and wellbeing. We encourage healthier lifestyles and provide information, advice and support to children and their families.
The team is committed to safeguarding all children and young people and adheres to the pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership guidance.
The service sits within the Children and Young People’s Public Health Service 0 to 19, alongside health visiting. The teams work with children, families, school staff and other agencies to support the health and well-being of school-age children across Dorset.
For more information or to make a referral to the school nurse team click the following links:
Dorset HealthCare :: School nursing
Dorset HealthCare :: Requesting school nursing support
Dorset Council RUOK? Campaign
Asking for help with mental health can seem particularly daunting for young people so as part of Children's Mental Health Week the RUOK? campaign has just launched with a mission to make access to mental health support easy. Here are some important contacts and we will add some of the information to our ‘Reach Out’ section of the website.
