Who can help you?
Last updated:Online
Buckinghamshire Family Information Service (BFIS)
Where parents can go for support
Family Centres
Buckinghamshire has 13 Family Centres and 3 Family Centre Plus' across the county. These deliver universal sessions during the day and youth drop-ins after school. Each Family Centre has a timetable which details the sessions they run.
Find your local Family Centre.
SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)
SENDIASS provide free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support on all matters relating to special educational needs and disability, for children and young people (aged 0 to 25 years) and their parents/carers.
The service has lots of information online to support parents/carers and young people. They can be contacted directly by families who have questions and/or are seeking support to understand and navigate the SEND system for their child.
The SENDIASS website and contact details should be shared with parents/carers and young people who would like further support.
In addition, SENDIASS recommend the following links to support parents:
Accessing Early Help Support
You should first use the Continuum of Need to assess the family’s level of need.
If the need is at level 1 or 2 and you are unsure which early help service might be suitable, you can:
- Use the Buckinghamshire Family Information Service directory to search for what is available by theme or location.
- drop into a Family Centre Plus.
- Speak to a colleague who is part of the Family Hub Network.
- Call the Buckinghamshire Family Information Service team on 01296 383293 or email familyinfo@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.
If the need is at level 3 and the family wants help from a family worker, a referral can be made to the Children’s Locality Support and Safeguarding Service. You can request this by completing the online form (MARF).
Mental Health Support Team (MHST)
The bucks MHST supports young people who have emotional well-being difficulties. They provide evidence-based therapeutic support on both an individual level and in groups to help young people, parents and carers. Some schools will have access to Mental Health Support Teams who can provide support, the schools that have access are listed on the website.
Voluntary Community Sector - Youth Centres
There are many youth centres across the county ensuring their programme is accessible to everyone and offers a safe place for young people to attend. Their aim is to help young people develop their social skills in a fun environment.
Many of these centres are based on our 'close to school' sites' across Buckinghamshire.
Not in Education, Employment or Employment (NEET)
Supporting young people to continue learning
Local Authorities have a duty to track the education destinations of young people aged 16 to 17. Staff from Children's Services make regular contact with NEET young people to offer signposting to opportunities and support.
Schools can inform the team about young people in year 11 who they think may be at risk of disengaging from learning at post-16. The team can make contact with these young people from June onwards to offer information about suitable post-16 options.
For more information, please contact helen.lee@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.