Hello and welcome to the September edition of our Family Information Service newsletter. Our job is to give you the info and resources you need to help your family life run a little smoother. We can help with:

Childcare – finding it and advice on paying for it
Local baby and toddler groups
Events, clubs, activities, and fun things to do in the school holidays, for all ages
Getting parenting and family support
Finding health and wellbeing support

We cover everything and anything to do with family life, so if you have a question, chances are we’ll be able to help, or if we can’t, we’ll point you in the direction of someone who can. Find us on Facebook, Instagram or X. Call 01743 254400 or email ShropshireFIS@shropshire.gov.uk

How can we help you?

We are always looking for new ways to let families know how we can support them. Chloe our team tech wizard has created a brilliant short video, which explains who we are and what we do. We’d love for you to take a look and get in touch if you’d like our support.

View the video here

Drop in and chat to a Health Visitor

Did you know Shropshire Health Visiting Service run free drop-in clinics in Shrewsbury, Market Drayton, Ludlow, Bridgnorth and Highley?

Health Visitors can help families with children aged 0-5 years old. They can offer information, advice and support on a range of topics, including:

Infant feeding and breastfeeding advice
Child development
Emotional health and wellbeing
Parenting and local support groups
Behaviour
Sleep

If you would like support but are unable to get to a session, you can also get help by calling 0333 358 3654 or texting the team on 07520 635212.

Find out more

Free potty training support

ERIC, the children’s bowel and bladder charity are an amazing resource for families. They can offer expert advice on things like potty training, constipation and wetting accidents.

Their free helpline 0808 801 0343 is open Monday to Thursday, 10am – 2pm. They also run some fantastic free online sessions for parents and carers too. Their next events are:

Talking about wee and poo – parent / carer event

Talking about wee and poo – 19th September 2024, 7pm

Join us for our parent and carer webinar, led by our Helpline Advisors looking at common bowel and bladder problems that children experience and how you can help overcome and manage them.

Our Helpline team will help you to understand how the bowel works, what can go wrong and what to do about it.

The session will include recognising constipation, and the importance of treatment, as well as working towards getting the poo in the loo!

We will explain how the bladder works, look at why it is essential to sort the bowels first, and why it is so important to have plenty to drink.

We will talk about how to recognise when the bladder is misbehaving, and what to do about it, plus ways to encourage your child towards the potty or toilet.

Talking about Potty Training – parent / carer event

10th October 2024, 7pm

Join us for our Potty Training webinar led by our Family Services Team where we will outline our evidence based 3 step approach, involving preparation to use the potty, practising potty skills before eventually stopping using nappies as your child gains confidence.

We will be sharing useful resources which will help support you and your child on their potty training journey.

We will also be discussing some commonly asked questions about how to potty train including:

The best age for potty training and when to start
The equipment you will need
Potty refusal
How to manage accidents

Find out more

New! Family Foundations course

There is so much to prepare for when you are expecting a baby. One area that sometimes get overlooked, is how a baby will affect your relationship with your partner. Our new Family Foundations Course, which is free for Shropshire residents, will give you and your partner the skills and confidence you need to create the best family possible for your little one.

With sessions held before and after the arrival of your baby, the course will help you support each other through the big changes ahead.

If you would like to attend the course please speak to your midwife who can complete the referral form.

Find out more

Sleep Tight workshops

This free five week workshop aims to support parents and carers to make positive changes to their child’s sleep patterns. Life can be difficult when children have sleep issues. Our aim is to support families to get a better night’s sleep by using a behavioural approach to sleep. We work in partnership with families, as we know that they are the expert on their children.

Workshops provide parents and carers with the opportunity to meet other families in similar situations and to gain tips on how to support a better night’s sleep for them and their child.

You can choose to attend an online, face-to-face, or a special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) specific group.

Quotes from parents who have been on the course

“Absolutely fabulous workshop. Should be offered to first time parents when their babies are old enough for the skills learned to be applied. I have a disabled daughter and naively thought that the workshop wouldn’t apply to her needs, well I was wrong, I believe it applies to most children and every parent can take massive positives away from this workshop! Awesome!”

“I have learnt a lot! I was interested to learn about the science behind sleep, melatonin production, sleepy foods. It has been good to know that I’m not alone and to learn things from some of the other Mum’s who were on the course. It was helpful to hear their suggestions!”

Find out more

Free courses for parents and carers

Parenthood can be extremely rewarding and enjoyable. It can also be demanding, frustrating and exhausting. In Shropshire the Parenting Team offer workshops and groups for parents which provide easy to implement, proven parenting solutions

The groups encourage parents and carers to identify the most important issues in their relationship with their child and to reflect on why things sometimes go well and sometimes do not. It is about looking at what you are already doing well and building on that to make it even better. It is then easier for you as a parent to identify how to work together with your child.

You will explore topics like:

Having Fun Together
Behaviour Difficulties
Sleep
Communication
Development Needs
Parenting Styles

There are a range of face-to-face and virtual groups happening across the county this term, including a group for families with children who have special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Find out more

Meet n Chat SEND

Our Meet n Chat SEND drop-ins are back for the Autumn. They are a chance for families of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to get support with general SEND enquires. You can chat with people from Early Help, Education, Health and the Parent Carer Council (PACC). The sessions are free to attend and are next being held:

Raven House, Market Drayton Family Hub, 129 Cheshire Street, TF9 3AH
Tuesday 17 September 2024, 1pm-3pm

Bridgnorth Youth Centre, Bridgnorth Family Hub, 45 Innage Lane, WV16 4HS
Tuesday 15 October, 1.30pm-4pm

Meole Brace Primary School Family Drop-in, Church Road, SY3 9HG
Thursday 7 November 2024, 9.30am-12 noon

You can find info of these and other drop-ins for families on the Family Information Directory.

Find out more

Local baby and toddler groups

Now the new school term has begun, many baby and toddler groups will start up again. Baby and toddler groups are a great way to meet other children and parents, in a relaxed setting. Most groups are very budget friendly and do not require pre-booking.

We keep a list of groups across the county on our Family Information Directory, which you can search by area to find those closest to you.

Find out more

Upcoming open days

Has your child just started Year 6 at primary school? If so, they will start secondary school in September 2025. During September and October most secondary schools will be holding open afternoons and evenings, so you can get a feel for the school. Click the ‘find out more’ button below for a list of upcoming dates across Shropshire.

The online application portal is now open and you have until 31 October to apply for your preferred secondary schools. Find out more info and apply here: Transferring to secondary school | Shropshire Council

Find out more

FIS feedback survey

As this is the sixth edition of our newsletter, we thought now would be a good time to check how you feel about it. Do you find the info in it useful? What would you like to see more, or less, of? Got any ideas to make it even better? Take our super short survey and let us know. Thank you!

Super short survey