Vale Family Information Service

Putting Families First Family and Youth Information Services Conference Becky Wickett, Information Officer, Vale of Glamorgan Council

Aims of the presentation

• How the Family Information Service has evolved in the Vale

• Putting Families First project & DVD • How FIS links with the project• Case Study • Conclusion

How the Vale FIS has evolved• Children & Young People’s

Information Service (CYPIS) launched in 2005

• Extended to a Family Information Service in 2008 as a result of the Childcare Act 2006

• Now a one stop information and advice shop for families with children age 0-20 years: childcare, services and activities for children and young people and family support

• Received over 4,000 enquiries in the past year, either direct to the service or online childcare and family support enquiries.

How the Vale FIS has evolved cont….

• Youth information age 11-25yrs available online - Swoosh website

• Family Support Directory • Disability Index, funded by Families First

Quarterly newsletter ‘the index’

Online directory children with additional needs

Regular mail-outs

Received 96 direct enquiries in the past year

‘Parents and carers are the single most important factor in a child’s life’

Welsh Government Parenting Action Plan

‘Our aim is to improve support for parents and carers in order to improve life opportunities for children’

Vale Family Support Strategy 2010-2013

Putting Families First Project

How does it work?• Aims to empower parents through information and

positive experiences• Run in 18 primary schools (8 in Communities First area)

and 1 in the community in Barry • LSAs are upskilled to run weekly sessions • All parents are invited – very informal• Mobile crèche is available• Programme includes:

– 10 week Nurturing Programme, 3 week Confident Families Programme, Reading Readiness and Ready for Maths Programmes, play sessions, First Aid & Food Hygiene training, CV writing and interview skills (all accredited), visits from FIS, Credit Union, Citizens Advice, Health & Wellbeing Coaches and more

2012 - 2013• 176 Parents achieved accreditation

• 61 Parents attended a 10 week parenting course

• 520 evaluation forms collected

• 90% parents felt more able to support their families

• 96% parents reported that they were more keen to engage in school activities

• 100% parents would recommend the group to others

What has the project achieved?

How do FIS & PFF work together?• FIS attends and gives info and advice on childcare,

returning to work, help with childcare costs, family support, Disability Index and more

• Enables FIS to reach a priority audience - 81 Parents seen in the last year

• Gives FIS a foot in the door to introduce the FIS School Certificate – 13 out of 51 primary schools have achieved Level 1

• LSA becomes contact person and driver for FIS School Certificate

• School will already meet some criteria: attend a parent event, display posters and leaflets..

Case StudyA mum approached Teresa at a school parent session to ask about parent & toddler groups. She had a 2 ½ yr old son who had ADHD and Epilepsy. Mum was really struggling as her son was having seizures in the night and she couldn’t sleep with worry. She also had Bipolar.

Teresa said firstly to see her doctor. She also referred her to the Telecare Team and an epilepsy bed sensor was fitted, which alerted mum if her son was having a seizure. Teresa also accessed carers funds to pay for childcare for a day so that mum could attend Carers Rights Day. The son was added to the disability index and mum then received regular information. Teresa also made a referral to the Families First Team Around the Family (FACT Team), who allocated a key worker.

Becky WickettVale Family Information ServiceFis@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk 01446 704704www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/fisTwitter: @ValefisFacebook: Vale Family Information Service

Ruth FerrierPutting Families First01446 709811RSFerrier@valeofglamorgan.gov.ukTwitter: @Putting1st

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