About the Cornwall Family Information Service


The Cornwall Family Information Service (FIS) is here to provide information and advice on family matters and support services, childcare, and things to do locally.

We support parents/carers, parents to be and children/young people from birth to 19 years, and up to 25 years if they have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND). 

You can find all our SEND information in one place called The Local Offer for SEND.

What can FIS help with?

What can FIS help with?

Our website and directory of organisations, activities and childcare is always available - allowing you to find:

  • Childcare and Early Years providers
  • Support and inclusive activities for children or young people with SEND
  • Information about childcare funding
  • Things to do and holiday activities
  • Parenting programmes

Our Childcare and Early Years directory has access to the latest Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) information. This ensures you’ll find approved and trusted childcare providers for peace of mind. To view questions you may want to ask your setting, please click the link here: www.cornwall.gov.uk/childcare/.

The Family Information Service is a free and impartial information service. This means we offer information and advice to families in an unbiased way. We don’t recommend one option over another; we just give you the details so you can make your own choice.


Our supportive team are also here Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm if you need extra help. Get in touch by contacting us online, by email: fis@cornwall.gov.uk or telephone: 0800 587 8191.


Find out more about our brokerage and support service if you are needing additional help finding childcare.

Our Family Information Service is committed to providing the highest standard of support to families in our community. We are committed to improving our services by listening to feedback, working with our partners and regularly checking how we are doing. If you would like to provide any feedback please fill out our feedback form. If you would like to see the improvements we have made over the last year, please check out our ‘You Said, We Did’ page.

Multi-Agency Support and Safeguarding Hub

The Cornwall Family Information Service is based in Cornwall Council's Multi-Agency support and Safeguarding Hub. 

The Multi-Agency Support and Safeguarding Hub (MASSH) brings together professionals from social care, health, education and police to respond to concerns about children and young people.   

We provide:  

  • Safeguarding response for children at risk  
  • Help and Support (Family Help)
  • Advice and guidance for professionals, families and the public

What services are accessed through the MASSH? 

  • Safeguarding concerns about a child 
  • Family Help. This includes:
  • youth work
  • family support work 
  • Supporting Change in Partnership (SCIP) 
  • Early Support 
  • Portage 
  • Child exploitation
  • Private Fostering notifications
  • Occupational Therapy  

For more information, please visit Safeguarding, Support, Advice and Guidance for children, young people and families

Family Information Services from our neighbours

Statutory Duties

Councils have certain duties and functions (statutory duties) they must perform, provide or do. Cornwall Council relies on its different teams and services to deliver specific duties, and together, meet all their statutory duties.

Here are the statutory duties the Cornwall Family Information Service supports to deliver. Select each one to find out what it covers.