A COUPLE on benefits who have been sleeping in their car with their newborn son say they are not scroungers - they just need help to find a home.

The mother, who has asked not to be named for fear her baby will be taken away from her, has been evicted from the room she was renting in a house in Verwood, and has until the end of next week to clear her possessions from the address.

But she hasn't got enough for a deposit for a new place, and because she comes from Kent, she says local councils haven't helped her. She told the Echo she left Kent because of an ex-partner and doesn't want to return.

She and her partner and their tiny son are now without a roof over their heads.

Jane, not her real name, was admitted to Poole Hospital suffering pre-eclampsia and kidney problems. Her son was delivered two weeks early by emergency caesarean section on July 6. The pair were kept in for a week due to ongoing concerns for Jane's health, and the baby boy was also admitted to NICU for a time due to low blood sugar levels.

Still on medication for her blood pressure, Jane, 39, left hospital on Monday (July 13). She and her partner have spent a few nights in B&Bs in Boscombe - and even twice stayed overnight in their car. She has been returning to her previous address for midwife and health visitor appointments.

She told the Echo: "He's my baby. I'm not going to let any harm come to him - I'm just trying to keep him safe. We're all together, we're still a family unit."

The first time mum, who didn't think she would ever have children, added: "I love him to bits. I just want him to be safe."

Jane's partner grew up in Bournemouth, although he has no family here now. He said even with a deposit it is hard to find a place that allows DSS tenants. "She just needs a home for her and the baby - that's the main priority," he added. "I'm worried about the baby, I'm worried about her. I don't care so much about myself."

He added: "Sometimes I can't even look at him because I feel like I've failed him."

Claire Matthews who runs the Hope for Food soup kitchen in Bournemouth met the young family when they came to her for a meal and some toiletries on Thursday night.

"The services have failed them, - they have been let down," she said. "It was heartbreaking for the volunteers at the soup kitchen last night - how has this been allowed to happen?"

A spokesman for Borough of Poole said: "We would advise her to contact her local council who may be able to review her application and offer assistance based on her current circumstances. The housing options team at Borough of Poole can support her with this."

A spokesman for Poole Hospital said: "We do not discharge a maternity patient without them having a home to go to. Should this prove unsatisfactory, our midwifery safeguarding team would work with our social care partners to ensure appropriate postnatal care was provided to both mother and child. Patient confidentiality prevents us commenting on any individual case."

A spokesman for East Dorset District Council said: “We would encourage this person to get in touch urgently with our housing service on 01202 795211.”