Family Information Service

As your children grow older, you may be faced with all sorts of unfamiliar problems and issues. If you are unsure of where to look for information, call the Family Information Service. We will endeavour to respond promptly to enquiries and if we are unable to help we will put you in touch with people who can.

All enquiries will be dealt with in strict confidence.

The information and advice given will be impartial.

Freephone helpline 0800 073 1214 or telephone 01225 395343 available Monday to Thursday 8:45am to 4:45pm and Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm There is an answerphone outside these hours.

Text us on: 07980 998906 Email us at: fis@bathnes.gov.uk Find us at: www.bathnes.gov.uk/fis www.1bigdatabase.org.uk www.facebook.com/bathnesfis

Family Information Service

Come and see us at your local Children’s Centre - call us for details of where your local Children’s Centre is and for information on the ‘What’s On’ calendar.

This leaflet can be made available in a range of community languages, large print, Braille, on tape, electronic and accessible formats from the Family Information Service.

An accredited, quality information service for parents and carers of children and young people

DP 5242 03/13 SC

Family Information Service 0800 073 1214

Family Information Service 0800 073 1214

What can the Family Information Service (FIS) offer?

We are a statutory information service which delivers the requirements of the Childcare Act 2006, Section 12, information duty, for families with children and young people aged up to 20, or 25 if they have an additional need.

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Work in partnership with Health Visitors and other Children’s Services professionals to deliver information to families

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Help parents choose and access appropriate childcare and family support services by providing impartial information and advice about childcare options and benefits. This can be by telephone contact, one to one sessions and where necessary, accompanied visits to childcare providers

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Provide support for parents and carers who may have difficulty in selecting an appropriate school place for their child by visiting schools and offering one to one sessions to families

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Offer one to one sessions providing information on career and training opportunities for Working with Children and Young People.

Quality Information Every effort is made to provide accurate, up to date information on a range of family related topics, including: ●

Contact details of OFSTED registered childcare providers, such as Nurseries, Childminders, Pre-schools, Crèches, After School Clubs, Breakfast Clubs, Holiday Play Schemes, also non-registered Parent and Toddler groups and Leisure organisations

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Information on the location, opening hours, costs, vacancies and the Special Educational Needs provision of childcare settings

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A resource library of leaflets, packs and booklets relating to leisure activities, working with children and tips on how to be a successful parent

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Information for families, parents and teenagers about safe lifestyle choices

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Web information about employment opportunities (including vacancies) in the Bath and North East Somerset childcare sector

1 Big Database - the online family information directory of services for children, young people and families. www.1bigdatabase.org.uk ● Facebook - you can get updates about events and activities that are happening in Bath and North East Somerset.

Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) FIS also works closely with families who do not have a regular wage or income, by offering one to one appointments and drop in sessions at local Children’s Centres. At an appointment a family will be able to check that they are claiming all the benefits they are entitled to and be supported to access debt and housing advice, free school meals, specific benefits information and appropriate legal services. Date/times of the sessions at Children’s Centres are available from FIS - see contact details overleaf.

Information for Families of Children and Young People with Additional Needs

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Outreach There are FIS workers at a variety of locations across the local authority (including Children’s Centres) who promote the work of the Family Information Service in the Bath and North East Somerset area. They: ●

Visit organisations that work with, or provide information to, families, parents and carers

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Present information to parents and carers at Ante Natal, Post Natal groups, Schools, Family Fun Days and a wide range of support groups

FIS holds specific information for families with children and young people who have a disability, special educational needs or any other additional requirements. This includes: ● Local and national helplines and support groups ●

Leisure activities, Holiday Play Schemes and Out of School Clubs

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Transport and benefits

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Community organisations and services in Bath and North East Somerset

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The Link Newsletter

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The Rainbow Resource: a Directory of Services for Children with Additional Needs, also available online at www.rainbowresource.org.uk