Fis information leaflet sep 2014

As your children grow older, you may be faced with all sorts of unfamiliar problems and issues. If you are unsure where to look for information, visit our on-line information to see if the answer is there —1 Big Database: www.1bigdatabase.org.uk

families rst

If you can’t find what you are looking for contact us on 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.facebook.com/bathnesfis

Family Information Service

All enquiries will be dealt with in strict confidence. The information and advice given will be impartial

Information for your family all in one place 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.

DP 5242 09/14 JM

Family Information Service 01225 395343

Family Information Service 01225 395343

What can the Family Information Service (FIS) offer?

Information and Advice

We are a statutory information service which delivers the requirements of the Childcare Act 2006, Section 12 for families with children and young people aged up to 20 years of age, or 25 if they have additional needs, Special Educational Needs (SEN) or disability.

FIS also works closely with families who do not have a regular wage or income or are struggling to make ends meet.

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

Contact details of, and information about, OFSTED registered childcare providers, such as Nurseries, Childminders, Pre-schools, After School Clubs, Breakfast Clubs, Holiday Play Schemes including location, opening hours, costs and their SEN and disability provision

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Contact details of, and information about other groups, activities and leisure organisations

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Lots of resources giving details of family activities, family support and a range of affordable activities

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Information for families, parents and teenagers about safe and healthy lifestyle choices

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

All of this can be found on-line on 1 Big Database www.1bigdatabase. org.uk - the online family information directory of services for children, young people and families.

Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/bathnesfis - for updates about events and activities that are happening in Bath and North East Somerset.

We work in partnership with Health Visitors, childcare providers, schools, colleges, children’s services and a wide range of voluntary organisations and charities to deliver information to families

We offer one to one appointments and drop in sessions at local community venues and 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 appointments are flexible and available from FIS - see contact details overleaf.

We also offer one to one sessions providing information on career and training opportunities for working with children and young people.

Information for Families of Children and Young People with Additional Needs, Special Educational Needs or disability Rainbow Resource online — www.rainbowresource.org.uk holds specific information for families with children and young people who have a disability, SEN or any other additional needs up to the age of 25.

This includes: •

Information about how organisations and activity groups will meet your child or young person’s needs

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Information about support for your family and how you can access services

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Details of local leisure activities, inclusive and targeted Holiday Playschemes and Out of School Clubs, community organisations and services in Bath and North East Somerset

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Local and national helplines and support groups

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Information about transport and benefits

Register with the Rainbow Resource Scheme, and receive a registration card and regular newsletter, contact FIS for more details.