You are here: News New report recommends local authorities protect Family information services in Wales
A new report published today by the Family and Childcare Trust recommends Welsh local authorities protect the work of their Family Information Services in order to ensure families get the information and support they need.
The report focuses on how Welsh Family Information Services deal with complex enquiries which require knowledgeable staff who are able to dedicate time to each issue.
Welsh local authorities have a better record than England for maintaining a dedicated phone line and team of professionals to deal with a range of family issues – rather than through generic call centres. The Family and Childcare Trust believes that this dedicated approach should be protected.
Stephen Dunmore, chief executive at the Family and Childcare Trust said:
"Family Information Services in Wales bring a range of benefits to families through their connections with other agencies and support networks. Often complex enquiries will involve disadvantaged families, and failure to resource these enquiries could lead to higher levels of need down the line.
"We’d like to see this good work continue and believe that Welsh local authorities should protect and promote this service."
The report, Complex enquiries and Family Information Services in Wales, also highlights that in Wales, Family Information Services staff provide more face-to-face advice to families than their counterparts in England.
Contact: Mark Bou Mansour, Communications and Campaigns Manager. Telephone: 0207 940 7535, mobile: 07538 334 772, email: mark@familyandchildcaretrust.org.
About the Family and Childcare Trust
The Family and Childcare Trust aims to make the UK a better place for families. We are a leading national family charity in the field of policy, research and advocacy on childcare and family issues, with over 40 years’ experience. Our on-the-ground work with parents and providers informs our research and campaigns. We focus on the early years and childcare because they are crucial to boosting children’s outcomes throughout life and supporting parents to work.