As we have Harringey so much in the news, I feel I will give a review of what used to be Chikdrn…read moreand Families in Poole, before and since it became Children's Services. I was involved in an audit of the department. Some Social workers are just not suited to the job they are in. This is a calamity to start with. Some are too timid, some are too callous, some are wanting targets reached. I have rarely read a report by a Social Worker which is accurate. I have been present during their visit and present when the report is presented at case conferences. Usually this is because they do not take notes or visit to many families to remember what goes on at a visit. Case conferences have only just started being Chaired by an Independent person. Very hard to believe and much collusion went on. The Chair would know every Social worker as a colleague but the parents were complete strangers. Lehman's report recommended working with the family, not advocating the child. This made it harder to insist on seeing the child interact with it's carers, so noticing flinching or fear from a child is harder to spot. Some agencies involved on the child's behalf never felt it necessary to see the child!!!!! It is cheaper to leave a child with an abusive parent than to have it fostered. I have read court papers stating that social workers have driven a child to A&E because of injuries caused by a parent and then returned the child to that parent. If the a carer is known to the police for criminal activity, the police will continue surveillance and intelligence gathering in order to arrest a 'ring' rather than intervene earlier to protect a child/children. All this is alarming, indeed it is very frightening. I have not yet recovered from this audit - I still need medical care. God help some of the children out there. Report anything odd that you see.

The council is housed in the Civic Centre, another monument from the sixties but rather more…read moreattractive than other buidings of that era. The public entrance is at the back, and its all quite swish. The receptionist directs you to where you need to go. The front entrance is for Public Servants but only used for certain occasions. I use it when going for Governance training, or some function. This entrance is grand in a worn out way. There is a one way system around the building which can go quite fast. A number of accidents occurr at the pelican crossing as vehicles are worrying about which lane they need or are just travelling too fast. A lot of kids cross here as it's opposite the park.

Other than the castle, the village itself has a very inviting feel about it. You enter the castle…read morefrom the little square where there are a few shops and a monument in the middle. The square is very small! I don't know; I just found the place really calm and peaceful - most likely not this way during the tourist season but on a cold wet November late afternoon the atmosphere was at its best. The village isn't very big, so worth a little wander around and perhaps a stop in a pub and some of the shops.

Such a beautiful village - it hasn't changed much since I used to visit it over 40 years ago. The…read moreCastle is always worth a visit - you get in free if you're a National Trust member, and the parking at the visitor centre at the entrance to the village is also free to members. Try getting there early-morning before the crowds. Interesting little shops and the National Trust Tea Rooms does the best cream tea ever - sit in their garden overlooking the Castle. There's also a model village. The steam train runs from the Park & Ride at Norden (just before Corfe Castle village), stops at the village before chugging through the Purbecks onto Swanage. A good day's fun!

Milford library is amazing, just think back to village primary school daysok for those of you who…read moredidn't go to a village primary let me explain The library is in the village hall, on library days (this library is not always a library!) they unlock the cabinets and swing the cupboards around to reveal the book shelves hidden behind and no i am not joking! Rather dated, the selection of books is not fantastic, and i think the library is mainly used by older people not wanting to travel into Lymington where the big new library is. However the library staff are helpful and will always try to get books in if they aren't instantly available, so good if you are stuck in milford with no way out!!

This out of town Library was built in the 60s so not that great to look at but to be fair it has…read moremaybe grown in to it's looks. That sort of municipal building from that time to my mind has now got some merit. Inside you will find a functional library that is kept very clean very tidy well stocked with a good number of tables for on site reading ect However the staff in the library are by far the best I have ever encountered, friendly, helpful and just very happy to help.They also have good activites for children. Our daughter attends Wiggle and Rhyme which is lead by a truly wonderful lady called Hillery.

Friendly and helpful, nicely situated. A perfect library with excelent facilities. What more could…read moreyou ask for? I borrowed my first books here in the 1970s. It is still providing the same level of information, advice and service. Hooray!

Bournemouth Library is the best library in Bournemouth to visit for choice! it has a huge range of…read morebooks on two floors. Upstairs is mostly musical books, good range of cds to hire out, there is even a piano you can play on with headphones. there is a lift for disabled access. Downstairs has a huge film section, along with a really nice kiddies section. There is plenty of books on all topics and plenty of space to study with many computers. It is also good that they have (very clean) toilets - so you can spend quite a while here without leaving. Its a shame they dont have a cafe, the cafe below has now closed which is a shame :( Generally everything is laid outwell and the windows give the place lots of light which is nice. The staff are polite and helpful. Rated 5/5

I love the new library, its very spacious, has so many books and resources and the kids part is…read moremassive and contains toys and things for your kids to do, I used to come for an hour or so and let my son play.

Seems like a place best suited for kids. There's a large Farris wheel and an arcade and restaurants…read morethat are not great but serve food. There's the oceanarium and right now a pop up about the historic Air Force. There just isn't a ton for adults to enjoy unless you venture further away from the pier and into Bournemouth.

The original pier was built for £12,000 in 10 months, opening in July 1889. 600 feet long, it could…read moretake steamers, and had a bandstand. In 1904 it was taken into Council hands. The Council built a new pierhead building, and removed the bandstand to a local park. In 1940, during WW2, the pier was stripped, and three spans were blown up to prevent use for enemy landings. After a long battle with the Government for compensation, the Council refurbished the pier between 1958 and 1962, with a new pierhead building, and the Mermaid hall and cafe on the end - both designed by the Council architect, John Burton. The end was closed on safety grounds in 1990, and the rest closed in 2005 for similar reasons. Using the proceeds of the sale of a nearby car park to Barratts for housebuilding, the Council refurbished - and shortened - the pier as part of a multi million pound regeneration of Boscombe seafront. It reopened in 2008, and was declared 'Pier of the year' in 2010. At the pierhead, there is a cafe, and a shop selling cigarettes, newspapers and - as the sign quaintly says - "beach requisites". Art is displayed and sold on the pier on Sundays. Permits are available for fishermen. Events are held regularly (brass bands, carol singing, etc). There is a 'Friends of the pier' organisation (see website). Admission free. (Thanks to Andrew Emery's 'History of Bournemouth Seafront' for the historical details)

Incredible location, very fun to get to via ferry but you take the 45 minute walk…read more Used by Henry VIII, the Ministry of Defence and now taken over by English Heritage, Hurst Castle offers a varied history. The castle does a good job of showing all the changes that have happened throughout its history. From seeing several different castles open up to the public, Hurst Castle stood out. Would completely recommend the audio tour. Absolute bargain at £2 each with a offer of two audio tours for £3. All the staff were very friendly and know the Hurst ferry staff.

A brilliant day out! The amazing adventure starts by parking…read moreyour car at Keyhaven. You then discover this massive pebbles barrier protecting the marshes from the waves. From very afar you can see the round shape of Hurst Castle: it looks small from there, but don't judge it yet. Walk all the way to the castle by using the barrier and then you'll see that there is more than meets the eye. Entry is about 3 pounds for an adult, which is a true bargain for a National Trust site. There is plenty to see and do and the views are fantastice. There is also plenty of exhibitions about the Bournemouth coastline and life in the castle and its strategic position. All in all, a cheap and great day out for the whole family.