About the Family Information Service
The Buckinghamshire Family Information Service (BFIS) is here to provide information and advice on family matters and support services, childcare and things to do locally.
We support parents, parents-to-be, children and young people and their families, from birth to 19, and up to 25 if they have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).
Using our website, you will find advice from our knowledgeable team and practitioners in the council. We will also link you to organisations that can provide the help most suited to you and your child's needs – this is called signposting.
Our website and directories
Bucks SEND Local Offer
You can find all our SEND information in one place called The Local Offer for SEND. There is also a directory for all SEND services, activities, and organisations.
Family Information website and directory
Our website and directory of organisations, activities, and childcare are always available, allowing you to find:
- support that is available to help with issues affecting your family
- what’s on at our family centres
- things to do and holiday activities, including the school holiday periods
- support and inclusive activities that are available if your child has SEND
- childcare and early years providers
Childcare and Early Years
Our Childcare and Early Years section of our website has a range of information to support parents and carers.
The Childcare and Early Years directory has access to the latest Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) information.
This ensures you will find approved and trusted childcare providers for peace of mind. This also makes it easy to find providers accepting government childcare schemes to help cover childcare costs.
Our supportive team are also here Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm if you need extra help. Get in touch by contacting us online, by email or by phone: 01296 383 293.
We are also here for professionals. By providing resources in one convenient place, they can find the services and information they need to support the children, young people and families they work with.
Outreach
We have a team of Information and Outreach Officers, each based in Wycombe, Aylesbury, and Chiltern and South Buckinghamshire.
They are experts in the support available where you live and know the local area well. You will see them out and about in the community at:
- family centres
- shopping centres
- libraries
- community places
- events
Social media
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube for our updates on the latest news, support, and activities.
Our role within Children's Services
The Buckinghamshire Family Information is part of Buckinghamshire Council’s Children's Services Education and Inclusion Team.
The Family Information Service's role is to be the front door to support, allowing you to find support yourself that’s already available.
Statutory Duties
Councils have certain duties and functions (statutory duties) they must perform, provide or do. Buckinghamshire Council relies on its different teams and services to deliver specific duties, and together, meet all their statutory duties.
Here are the statutory duties the Buckinghamshire Family Information Services delivers. Select each one to find out what it covers.
To keep a database of disabled children to help with planning and monitoring services.
Enables the Early Years Teams to secure sufficient childcare, so far as is reasonably practicable, for working parents, or parents who are studying or training for employment, for children aged 0 to 14 years (or up to 25 years for disabled children).
To provide Information, Advice and Assistance (IAA) to parents and prospective parents with children from 0 to 19 years or up to 25 years with a disability. This includes childcare information, local support, new initiatives and things to do.
To publish education, health, social care and voluntary and community sector provision for children and young people with special education needs and disability in one place. This is The Local Offer.
An additional information duty to publish information about childcare and related matters under Section 12, Subsection 6 of the Childcare Act 2006 (sub-sections 6a, 6b and 6c).