Families encouraged to use Derbyshire County Council's info service for help and support

Parents, carers and families are being encouraged to use Derbyshire County Council’s improved information service designed to ensure they benefit from useful services and support.

The council has developed its Families Information Service (FIS) which provides free, impartial information and guidance for parents and carers with children aged up to 19 or up to 25 for those with special educational needs and or disabilities.

A new feature is a Facebook account which users are being encouraged to follow for regular local and national updates. It includes links to useful services and enables families to keep up with the latest news on issues such as changes to Government funded childcare at www.facebook.com/DerbyshireFIS

FIS promotes a wide range of services, activities and events available in Derbyshire and is also designed to support childcare and family practitioners and other relevant professionals. 

In addition to its new Facebook function the service hosts an online directory of information about local and national organisations including childcare services, funding, health, family activities and support groups and can also support users by email and phone.

The council is continually developing key areas covered by its FIS which currently include:

• Help to find local childcare 
• Support with how to pay for childcare, including tax free and funded childcare eligibility and help to find the right Government scheme
• Guidance on how to help children be ‘Ready for School’
• Parenting support 
• Health and wellbeing guidance including support with children’s and adults’ mental health, substance misuse and increasing activity levels
• Promotion of local and national activities including school holiday schemes
• Support with the cost of living
• Promotion of county council services including teen driving school, adult education and opportunities to foster for Derbyshire
• Parenting tips to help improve children’s speech and language, help to manage exam stress and fun activities to do at home for all ages
• Updates on the latest local and national news relating to families and children
• Support and resources for early years businesses

FIS also has a link into Derbyshire’s Local Offer information which is a support and guidance website for children and young people aged up to 25 with special educational needs or disabilities.

Derbyshire County Cabinet Member for Children and Safeguarding Councillor Julie Patten said: “Our Families Information Service has always been popular but we’ve listened to our users and improved the range of information available on our website. 

“We’ve also added a Facebook account to allow us to issue regular updates and provide parents and families with a quick and convenient way to receive and check the latest news to make sure they’re not missing out.

“We have a wealth of information available, not only for parents and immediate family but grandparents and extended family and carers too, in fact anyone who looks after children, as well as providing a useful reference tool for childcare professionals themselves in addition to the other support we offer. 

“FIS can also support adults with guidance about their wellbeing and mental health, help with the cost of living and promote a wide variety of opportunities with, for example, our community adult education service to learn new subjects, hobbies or skills and we’re developing it all the time.”

Residents can find the council’s Family Information Service at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/FIS 

You can also like and follow the FIS Facebook page for daily updates including information about family activities in specific parts of the county www.facebook.com/DerbyshireFIS

The service is also available by email at info.fis @ derbyshire.gov.uk or by phone on 01629 535793 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).