The Childcare Act 2006 extends a duty on local authorities to provide information to parents. As councils strive to meet this duty, more and more children's centres and extended schools are expected to become outposts for local children's information services (CIS). This not only enables the CIS to reach more people, but also gives families access to on-the-spot guidance and information about local and national services.

1Take time to establish the needs of the centre or school and thefamilies it serves, and customise your service accordingly. Providingleaflets or simply sign-posting people to services many not be enough,especially in areas where there are low levels of literacy or highnumbers of parents who don't speak much English.

2There are lots of ways in which CIS and children's centres or schoolscan work together. That could be basing a member of CIS staff at acentre or school full or part time, or training up centre staff todeliver CIS services. Another option might be getting CIS staff to runregular surgeries.

3It's important to be clear about what's expected of both CIS staff andthose from the centre or school. It may help to have a dedicated projectmanger to establish the new service. And remember it can take time toset up - especially if it involves new IT systems.

4Parents who are seeking information in person are more likely to wantadvice and to talk through options.

There needs to be time and space for this to happen. Confidentiality isalso vital. So consider using a kiosk rather than adding to a busyreception area.

5Providing good quality, appropriate information and advice does requirespecialist skills and knowledge. If you're training up children's centrestaff to provide CIS services then bear in mind that ongoing trainingand refresher courses may be needed.

6External marketing is key. But you also need to market the serviceinternally to staff and partner agencies. Don't assume they know aboutthe range of information and guidance that a CIS can deliver. A CIS is aresource for centres and schools as well as for the parents they workwith.

7The model works best if CIS staff are part of the team. Working with acentre or school should not just be about having a presence there. CISstaff can also go out and meet people to publicise the service, buildrelationships with local providers, and find out about new services. Andthey should participate in sessions delivered by other staff and partneragencies so that their work is fully integrated.

- Compiled with the help of Pam Shaw, manager of Families InformationDirect (FiND) in Redbridge, and with reference to Opportunity Links'report Information, Advice and Guidance through Children's Centres inEngland - Final Report of CIS Pilot Project with Children's Centres.