Family Information Service celebrates 10th Birthday

Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Family Information Service is celebrating it’s 10th year of providing families in the area with access to a range of information and services.

Launched in 2000, the service has proved popular, with an average of 2500 requests for separate pieces of information per month by telephone, email and face to face.The team help with queries ranging from questions about childcare provision to information on parenting support, information for parents of children with additional needs, starting and moving through school, as well as providing outreach information sessions.

Councillor Chris Watt, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:

“Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Family Information Service is an invaluable first point of call for parents in the area. The service helps parents to make informed decisions about things like the best childcare options for their family to help them give their children the best possible opportunities for the future.”

Parent Samantha Williams, has used the service on a number of occasions. She said:

"The Family Information Service has come to my aid on several occasions - from searching for childcare providers, and then toddler groups in my area to children's music groups and other activities, always with a courteous attitude on the phone or via email. This is a valuable resource for B&NES and we should cherish it.”

As well as providing information through the helpline and online, the Family Information Service is also holding one to one sessions with families and the outreach team offers a childcare brokerage service designed to help vulnerable parents/carers with the process of finding suitable childcare. In addition, the team are working in the community to engage with families in different settings and with schools through babysitting awareness sessions

To talk to someone about childcare or play please contact the Family Information Service on 0800 073 1214, email fis@bathnes.gov.uk  or write to the Family Information Service, Riverside Offices (North Block), Temple Street, Keynsham, BS31 1AL. Information is also available by visiting  www.bathnes.gov.uk and navigating to the Family Information Service pages using the A-Z index and  at www.1bigdatabase.org.uk.