Whether you’re adjusting to your first days as a parent or your children are well into their teens, help and support is always nearby in Islington thanks to a network of friendly professionals at Family Hubs and the Family Information Service (FIS). 

From information on free childcare to parenting advice, Islington’s FIS is a one-stop shop for families and only a phone call or email away. And with three Family Hub locations across the borough, you’re never far from a friendly face, either. 

Becky Pryce, FIS manager and local mum-of-two, tells us how the services help parents and carers navigate the ups and downs of family life. 

How does the FIS and Family Hub network help families?

We support families with children from birth to age 25 with anything affecting family life. The FIS can help advise on things from childcare to free early learning, to stay and play sessions, holiday activities and parenting programmes. We also signpost parents to council and community services. 

We know family life can be tough, and parents tell us how much it means to have someone on the end of the phone. If calling isn’t your thing, you can email us or explore the Family Directory online. Our friendly team responds quickly – we’ve had good feedback from parents, who feel reassured that they’re equipped with the right information and know what they are entitled to. 

Last year, we received more than 13,000 emails. Most phone calls are from parents and carers, but we also receive enquiries from prospective carers, childcare professionals and colleagues in the council. 

What kind of things do they help with?

We get lots of enquiries about free early learning for two-year-olds and how they apply. We do assisted applications over the phone with parents who are struggling to access it online or not really understanding how they should apply. 

We also get general enquiries about holiday play schemes and childcare entitlements; what are the parent’s options? How can they get support? And we signpost parents to their nearest physical Family Hubs and children’s centres. 

What do the Family Hubs do?

Since 2022, our Family Hub network has been joining up services for families, so they get the high-quality support they need at the right time, in the right place. Within the network, Bright Start co-ordinates the integrated offer for babies and children aged up to 5 and their families, including services that support health, education and early childhood development. 

Identifying where extra early support is needed is really important, and the network helps to ensure that all under-5s are ready for school by identifying those who need extra support with their speech and language skills. The network has also encouraged more than 100 businesses and organisations to actively support breastfeeding in their venues. 

Bright Futures, for children and young people aged 5-19, or up to 25 with SEND, provides advice, drop-ins, parenting programmes during term time and family support and activities in the holidays across the Family Hub network. 

The Family Hub network consists of physical spaces, but also spaces where parents can call to get help and advice. We also have 52 parent champions who speak 22 languages between them, so we can engage families across communities. 

How does the FIS support parents who are unsure about early learning, for example?

We encourage them to visit, meet staff and ask questions. Seeing children learn through play helps parents feel confident.  We’ve also made videos with local families in different languages to help reassure parents who may be unsure. 

As a parent myself, I understand the nerves. My two-year-old goes to a childminder and I’ve seen him thrive. His communication skills have improved, and he’s learning how to socialise. At the end of the day when I pick him up, he’ll often tell me: ‘No mummy, I stay!’ I can see he’s happy and that early education is helping him become school-ready, and I’ve really benefited from the free hours.  

Get in touch with FIS

You can contact the service on 020 7527 5959 (Monday to Friday, 9am—5pm), email  fis@islington.gov.uk, visit islington.gov.uk/FIS or see facebook.com/IslingtonFIS  

For details on free early learning and childcare, see beststartinlife.gov.uk/childcare-early-years-education   

Watch the parent videos at islington.gov.uk/ParentVoices   

For more information on our Family Hubs, see islington.gov.uk/FamilyHubs