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Homelessness information for Dorset

Concerned about a rough sleeper?

Dorset Council Area

Contact Julian House:

BCP Council Area

Contact Bournemouth and Poole Rough Sleepers Team:

Please provide as much detail as possible. As they provide an outreach service, the teams are not always in the office, but they will listen to your message and follow it up as soon as possible.

StreetLink

If you are concerned about a rough sleeper, please tell StreetLink:

StreetLink is a website, mobile app, and phone-line covering England and Wales which enables people to alert local authorities about people sleeping rough in their area.

Local Authority Housing Teams

Dorset Council Area

  • Online housing form and homelessness advice:
    dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/housing/homelessness/homelessness-advice-and-assistance
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: 01305 221000

BCP Council Area (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole)

  • Advice and guidance for those who are homeless or rough sleeping:
    bcpcouncil.gov.uk - Homelessness and rough sleeping
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: 01202 123147
    (Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 4:30pm)

Support for young people aged under 18 who are homeless

Dorset Social Care (Social Services)

If you're under 18 years old or you're worried about a child who lives in Dorset, please contact the Family Support and Advice Line:

BCP Council area, Children's social care, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Please note, that currently, Dorset Nightstop is not able to place anyone below the age of 18 from BCP. If you are 16 or 17 years of age, please use the numbers below and they will provide you with help, support and guidance.

Contact Children’s First Response Hub:

Out of Hours:
You should only call if the safety and/or welfare of a child or young person is at serious risk of significant harm, and the situation cannot wait until 9am the next working day.

  • Phone: 01202 738 256
    (Monday to Friday, from 5pm to 9am; all day Saturdays and Sundays; all bank holidays, including Christmas Day and New Year's Day)

Charitable Services and other organisations

Offering help accessing housing, social care, benefits etc.

Find the branch near you for support in your area:

Central Dorset (Dorchester, Gillingham, Blandford & Shaftesbury)

centraldorsetca.org.uk

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0800 144 88 88

10am – 4pm Weekdays  10am – 1pm Thursday.

Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch:

citizensadvicebcp.org.uk

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0808 278 7939           

10am – 4pm Weekdays 

East Dorset & Purbeck:

edpcitizensadvice.org.uk

Email: via their enquiry form online

edpcitizensadvice.org.uk/get-advice/by-email

Phone: 0800 144 8848

Bridport:

bridportca.org.uk

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0800 144 8848

shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homelessness

Emergency Helpline:

Phone: 0808 800 4444

Helpline is open every day of the year:

8am - 8pm on weekdays

9am - 5pm on weekends

9am - 5pm on 25 and 26 December and 1 January

Homeless out reach and support.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 020 3856 6000

Homelessness support, Benefits Advice.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 01305 787940

Outreach service for the homeless in the Dorset area.

Report anyone sleeping rough via streetlink

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 01305 236 585