About the Family Information Service
Buckinghamshire Family Information Service (BFIS) provides information, advice and support about family matters, childcare and local activities.
We support:
- parents and carers
- expectant parents
- children and young people
- families with children and young people aged 0 to 19
- young people up to the age of 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
Find the right support
On this website, you can access advice from our team and council practitioners.
We can also help you find organisations and services that best meet your family's needs. This is known as signposting.
Whether you need information about childcare, family support, activities or specialist services, we can help you find the right place to start.
Support for professionals
We also support professionals who work with children, young people and families.
Our website brings together information, resources and services in one place, making it easier to find the support and guidance needed to help the families you work with.
You can use this website to:
- find local services and support
- access information and guidance
- discover childcare options
- learn about activities and opportunities for children and young people
- connect families with the right organisations and services
Our website and directories
Use our website and directories to find trusted information, local services, activities, childcare and support for families, children and young people across Buckinghamshire.
If your child or young person has special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), you can find information, advice and support in one place through the Buckinghamshire SEND Local Offer.
The Local Offer provides information about services, support, education, health and community opportunities available for children and young people with SEND and their families.
You can also search the SEND Directory to find local services, activities and organisations that support children and young people with SEND.
Our website and directory are available at any time, making it easy to find information, support and local services for your family.
You can use them to find:
- support for issues affecting your family
- information about Family Hub services and activities
- things to do, including school holiday activities
- inclusive activities and support for children and young people with SEND
- childcare and early years providers
Visit the Family Information website to explore available support and services.
The Childcare and Early Years section of our website provides information, guidance and support for parents and carers.
You can also search the Childcare and Early Years directory to find local childcare providers and view the latest Ofsted inspection information.
This helps you:
- find approved and registered childcare providers
- compare local childcare options
- access up-to-date Ofsted information
- identify providers that accept government-funded childcare support
You can learn more about the childcare schemes available to help with childcare costs and check which providers offer funded places.
How to get in contact
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.
Family Hub Outreach
The Information and Outreach Officers are part of Buckinghamshire's Family Hub team and provide outreach support to families across the county.
They have extensive knowledge of local services and support available in their communities and can help families find the right information, advice and guidance.
You may meet Family Hub Outreach Officers at:
- Family Hubs
- shopping centres
- libraries
- community venues
- local events and activities
By delivering outreach in community settings, the Family Hub teams help make support more accessible and ensure families can get help in places that are convenient and familiar to them.
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 Service (BFIS) is part of Buckinghamshire Council’s Children’s Services Directorate within the Early Help, Prevention and Youth Service.
We are the front door to information, advice and support, helping children, young people and families find and access the services, activities and guidance 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 Service 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).