Volunteer and community groups in Dorset are being invited to help deliver new ways to support families within communities. 

Last year, Dorset Council was selected by the government to be one of only three pathfinder organisations to design major reforms to children's services, from family help to the edge of care, and to make sure these changes work well for families.

This programme is known as Families First for Children (FFC) and was officially launched by the council in June.

Dorset's Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly has now partnered with Dorset Council in the development of the programme in the county.

READ: Dorset Council launch reforms to children's services

For anyone who is part of a voluntary or community group, a session about how to get involved with the programme will be held at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester on Monday, September 30 from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.

The assembly says it is facilitating the involvement and contribution of the voluntary and community sector in the programme, in order to bring together the innovation, creativity, and local expertise of groups as a vital foundation for the success of the work.

Jon Sloper, speaking on behalf of Dorset’s Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly, said: “We will be providing the support that voluntary and community groups need to make this really work for Dorset families.

“There is a huge amount of local expertise in the voluntary community sector and we are keen to use that, along with their innovation and creativity, to support families in the places where they live.

READ: People in Dorset spend millions on adult social care

“We are looking for anyone involved in community groups that connect with families, such as toddler groups, food banks or youth groups to come and find out more at this session.”

This is just one part of a much wider programme of once in a generation changes that Dorset Council says it is leading to reshape social care for families across the region.

Clare Sutton, cabinet member for children's services, education and skills for Dorset Council, said: “We are working to maintain and improve the lives of residents in Dorset from our youngest to our oldest and making sure that those who are disadvantaged are given the support they need.

“We think the pathfinder will help us to reduce health and social care inequalities in the future and we really welcome the support of our community and voluntary sector in this.”

You can book your place for the session on 30 September visit www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/families-first-for-children-pathfinder-vcs-induction-tickets-964770643967?aff=oddtdtcreator