Youth workers sent to meeting places for young people in Dorset
Dorset Council say they want to engage with young people in the county to make sure they feel safe
You may have seen people walking around Dorset with bright yellow Dorset Council backpacks - they are Targeted Youth Workers, exploring places spaces, and situations in your local area where young people may be out and about.
The Local Authority's Targeted Youth Workers use an informal approach to engage with children and young people, to make sure they feel safe. They build relationships with them, seek to understand their problems, and provide support and signpost to help when needed.
Although most young people are just wanting to spend time with friends, we know that sometimes young people can end up in situations that they do not want to be in. This could lead to them being exploited, offending, or causing harm to themselves or other people in the community.
The Targeted Youth Workers engage with young people and assess if they are at risk of harm. They work closely with partner organisations to ensure young people get the right support, at the right time.
Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Early Help, said; “Our Targeted Youth Workers play a vital role within our communities when it comes to safeguarding Dorset’s young people.
“Unfortunately, young people and children are vulnerable to abuse beyond their front doors. The work that our Targeted Youth Workers do is so important because it improves our understanding of these risks and enables us to engage with children and young people to help keep them safe.”
How can you help?
There is a responsibility to keep young people safe.
You may see, hear, or experience things to do with young people in your local area, and if something does not feel right, or you have concerns, then please tell Dorset Council about it.
The information you share will help them plan their work to keep young people safe.
If you're worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person who lives in Dorset, contact Dorset Council's Children's Advice and Duty Service (ChAD) on 01305 228866
If a child is in immediate danger, please call the police immediately on 999. To report a crime, do it online: www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online