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Family Information Service

Date updated: 22/08/2023
Contact the Family Information Service

The Family Information Service (FIS) provides free, impartial information and advice on a variety of services for children and young people (from birth to 18 years old or 25 years old for people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)), parents and families.

The service operates a telephone helpline (020 7332 1002) or you can contact the FIS team from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

The FIS provides an outreach service in a variety of settings and also at events.

The purpose of the local offer is to enable parents and young people to see more clearly what services are available in their area and how to access them. The offer will include provision from birth to 25, across education, health and social care and leisure.

Local providers have given comprehensive City of London's SEND Local Offer about how they meet the needs of children and young people with SEND, and this information can be found in their listings in the Local Offer section of the FIS Directory.

The term childcare covers a number of different types of provision, but one thing they should all have in common is that they are good for children and good for families. High quality childcare and early education give children a head start in primary school. Research shows that it improves their educational, emotional and social development.

Your decision to use childcare might be driven by a need to work or undertake training, or you could be looking for somewhere for your child to socialise with other children and get ready for school.

Entrusting the care of your child to someone else is a big decision, and it can be stressful, but whatever your needs there will be a childcare option that is right for you. Our aim at FIS is to help you find it by giving you all you need to make an informed choice. 

The Local Offer provides signposting and information on the types of support you can access for children and young people from birth to 25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Please see the FIS website for:

  • Suggestions of things to do and places to go at weekends and holiday periods
  • Holiday activities for children and young people
  • Parent and toddler groups, swimming classes, youth services, adventure playgrounds and libraries.