It is a statutory requirement that all authorities in Wales have a Family Information Service. Conwy County Borough Council’s own service was set up in 2001, and provides relevant information to families, carers and professionals working with families with the help of our database: http://www.conwyfamilyinformation.co.uk/ or http://www.gwybodaethideuluoeddconwy.co.uk/
In 2014 we launched our new database and web pages as the previous one that we had been using since 2001 was rather difficult for both the public and ourselves to use. We wanted something that was simpler for everyone. We work very closely with the newly launched Team Around the Family (TAF) which needed easy access to all kinds of information for families. Welsh Government were also asking us to provide additional information so we wanted a flexible system to allow us to add this extra information.
What’s changed?
Our new database was launched in June 2014. We worked closely with our new database provider who already had experience working with Family Information Services and we also worked closely with Denbighshire and Flintshire FIS’s who have the same database provider. We listened to what families were saying about our database and made sure that we include the information they were asking for. We didn’t include too much or irrelevant information. An Events section was added so that families could find out what was going on in the area. We included a section for organisations to enter and update their own information. As well as the database information we also have lots of helpful information on topics that would be useful for families or childcare providers e.g. types of childcare and how to become a Childcare provider.
What difference has it made?
People find the new database easier to use. People can use it to look for all kind of things as demonstrated by a Mum who contacted us recently. Along with her family, she is hoping to move from England to Conwy. She asked us if we could help her with information on Childcare, education ‘and information that would be useful to new residents’. By explaining how to use the database and by sending information we were able to provide help with Childminders, Day Nurseries, Parent and Toddler Groups / Cylchoedd Ti a Fi, Playgroups / Cylchoedd Meithrin, Funded part time Nursery Education for Three Year Olds, Leisure Activities, Employment, and Welsh classes. The response we had from her was ‘All of the information has been very useful. Thank you again for your help and kindness. I shall email you in the coming months with any developments.’ We look forward to welcoming her and her family to Conwy!