Buckinghamshire Family Information Service (BFIS)

All local authorities provide information to families through a Family Information Service. Your local service is Buckinghamshire Family Information Service (BFIS) and it offers a free telephone service (from UK landlines) providing confidential, impartial and up to date advice and information on a wide range of issues to support Buckinghamshire parents of children aged 0-19. It has expanded the service previously provided by Buckinghamshire Children's Information Service for early years and childcare, and now has a wide range of advice, services, activities and events. It is a great starting point for any enquiry relating to your family, childcare or careers working with children. BFIS will provide the information you need or advise you about appropriate services as required.

BFIS can provide a wide range of support and information on:

• Childcare – including Ofsted registered childminders
• Local sporting and activity clubs and organisations
• Holiday play schemes and parent and toddler groups
• Services and support groups that can offer help and advice
• Financial support for families
• Support for families who have either a child or parent with a disability
• Parenting classes, advice and support groups
• SureStart Children's Centres and schools in your local area
• A range of issues such as bullying, healthy eating and child safety

And for those working or interested in the childcare profession:

• Careers in childcare
• Information on setting up a childcare facility

Buckinghamshire Family Information Service is available through a variety of ways;

Telephone: 0845 688 4944 (9.30am and 4.30pm); typetalk (18001 0845 688 4944) and languageline facilities are also available
Text: 07786 202920
e-mail: familyinfo@buckscc.gov.uk
office: The Friary, Entrance 1, Rickfords Hill, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP20 2RT (between 10- 4pm on weekdays)

A new Buckinghamshire Family Information Service website will also be available from November 2009. It will include an on-line searchable Directory which will allow people to search for anything from sporting or leisure activities or after school clubs to parenting advice, family support networks or how to find a child minder.

If you wish to register your service, activity or event on the new on-line Directory please download the word document below and return to either the postal address on the form or familyinfo@buckscc.gov.uk. Please complete as fully as possible for all fields that are relevant to your service or activity. Where possible please provide generic contact details so that the information does not go out of date quickly. If you have any queries about completing the forms please contact 01296 387476 or email familyinfo@buckscc.gov.uk

As part of the Government's Parent Know How programme families can also search the parent Know How Directory to find out both local & national information, advice & guidance about all aspects of parenting.

Many thanks for your support to ensure the Buckinghamshire Family Information Service is an excellent resource that families use time and time again.