Family Directory Help

The Family Directory is managed by the Family Information Service (FIS)

Family Information Service
Children's Services
222 Upper Street
London
N1 1XR

Tel: 020 7527 5959
email: fis@islington.gov.uk

The Family Directory is one of a group of directories in the Ask Islington section of www.islington.gov.uk. To view the other directories, use the 'Directories' link on the right in the Do It Online box.

How to Use the Family Directory

The Family Directory provides information for parents and carers, children and young people and the practitioners working with them. If you want to add a new service or make a comment, use the links below.

• add a new service to the Family Directory
• make a comment about the Family Directory

Which services are included?

The directory lists all services that may help children, young people and families, whether they are provided by statutory agencies or by voluntary organisations. Most services are local to Islington but we also include many regional and national helplines as well as links to useful websites.

What kind of information does the directory provide?

The directory does not just list contact details. For most services we give you information about what services do, whom they are for and how to make a referral. We also include practical information such as opening hours, languages spoken, transport links and much more. For some services you can also download information leaflets, as well as application and referral forms. Look out for the links at the end of the service listing.

How do I find the information I want?

On the front page you will find three user ‘doorway’ links. Use the ‘doorway’ which best describes you. Once you have reached the homepage of your chosen ‘doorway’ you can use the search box, browse the directory by subject, and view What’s New.

How do I use the search box?

You can search by using the title of the service or by keyword using the Basic Search button. Just type part of the title or a keyword e.g. ‘young people’, into the box. The directory recognises several hundred keywords. At the bottom of each service entry there is also a list of suggested keywords which will take you to a list of similar services and related web links. If your keyword search doesn’t provide the results you need, try using the free text search button in the search box. This searches for a word throughout the whole service listing, but many more results will be returned.

How can I refine my search?

If the directory returns too many results, use the ‘Refined Search’ button to refine your search by specific postcode area, Children's Centre area or Area Children and Young People’s Partnership (ACYPP). You can also refine your search by Level of Need – this is for practitioners to categorise services according to the level of needs they are suitable for. Level 1 services are for all children. The other levels are for children with particular needs ranging from Level 2 to Level 4.

How can I find the location of a service?

For all local services you have the option to ‘View on map’. You can click on this link shown after the address details in the service listing. We also advise you how to get there by public transport.

How do I print out the information?

It is easy to print a service listing by using the normal print function on your computer. You can also print off all your search results in one go, by clicking ‘Print all contacts’ on the search results page.

How do I export search results to Excel?

To export your results to Excel, use the ‘Export to Excel’ button at the bottom of each search listing.

We would like to add our service to the directory. Who should we contact?

If your service is not listed on the directory and you would like to register please complete the simple online form below and send it to us. Don’t forget, you can send us your leaflets and referral forms too. We will attach these as PDF files to your service listing.

• add a new service to the Family Directory

How do we add an item to the What’s New section?

Please send an email to fis@islington.gov.uk or call 020 7527 5959.

How is the directory kept up to date?

We update all listings regularly, but if you have found a page that needs updating please email us at fis@islington.gov.uk.

Who can I speak to about the Family Directory?

All the information in this directory is available over the phone from the Family Information Service, 020 7527 5959. We may also be able to give advice in other languages. Call us for more information.

I would like to find out more about the directory and how it was set up.

The Family Directory was first developed as the Children’s Directory, within Ask Islington as part of Islington’s Information Sharing and Assessment (ISA) programme to facilitate joint-working by practitioners. It is a joint initiative by the Family Information Service, the Children’s Social Care division, Cambridge Education @ Islington, NHS Islington and the Islington Safeguarding Children Board. For information about this project please contact fis@islington.gov.uk.