Family Information Direct: working together, supporting families

The DfE (Department for Education) write about the Family Information Direct programme:

Research tells us that 70% of parents feel they need advice and support in their parenting role. Yet most are either unaware of the services that already exist or they have difficulty accessing them.

Family Information Direct aims to make sure that parents can get the help they need, when they need it, whether through existing telephone helplines or through a new generation of services, delivered online and via mobile phones.

Last year the Department for Children, Schools and Families (now the Department for Education) launched the Children’s Plan, with the central purpose of making this country the best place in the world for children and young people to grow up. Family Information Direct is an integral part of that vision.

We want to make sure that everyone in a parenting role – mothers, fathers, carers and other adults with parental responsibility – has the opportunity to access support through the challenges of raising a family, improving the health and happiness of children and young people.

Family Information Direct is made up of four strands:

• Telephone helplines –a proven, popular way to deliver support to parents
• The Innovation Fund – using emerging technology such as web and social media, SMS and instant messaging to reach parents in new ways
• Print media – delivering support and information to parents through syndicated content in newspapers and magazines
• Online information – local and national parenting services on Directgov and through local Family Information Services.