The Family file

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Picture of the Early Support Family File

The Family file offers a simple way for families to share information about their child and their family situation with other people. It consists of a set of templates and dividers, and is great for taking to appointments and meetings as it helps keep information, notes and paperwork in one place.

Although many families start using the file on their own, lead professionals and key workers are well-placed to introduce the materials and help the family get the best from them.

Why a 'Family file'?

Familes with young children who need additional help are often looking for a range of different things – medical care or therapy, advice on how to help their child, information and reassurance. They meet many different people as they find out about their child’s situation. Some early contacts are stressful and upsetting; particularly when things seem to be moving very quickly and parents and carers are trying to absorb unexpected news about their child.

People who have been in this situation often comment on the additional and unnecessary stress caused when they are asked for the same information over and over again, and when trying to recall what was said at the many meetings they may need to attend. The Family file helps get round these problems by offering a way of simply writing down, once, everything they would like someone meeting them for the first time to know about their child and their family, as well as the opportunity of adding information over time to keep track of what was said and agreed.

Getting started

Families and practitioners can either download or order the complete* Family file, including the How to use it guide from ECM Online Publications in PDF format, and hand-write in the information, or they can download the templates in Word format, available below from this page, so they can type notes in. Remember that the dividers (separator tabs) are not available in Word format, only in PDF and can be downloaded or ordered from the ECM Online publication link above.*

Whichever format you chose, people find the best way to start is to read through the examples and guidance in How to use the Family file.

What’s in the Family file?

'Introducing ourselves' template (Word format)

A template for writing down anything you’d like someone meeting your child and family for the first time to know, so you don’t have to keep repeating yourself. Some prefer to talk about what it would be useful to include with someone and to write things down with someone else’s help.

'People working with us' template (Word format)

A template for listing, and keeping track of, the names and contact details of people you meet.

'Questions we want to ask' template (Word format)

A template for noting down your questions.

Local information (separator tab* in PDF)

A section for keeping information about services in your area

'Family service plan' template (Word version)

A template for noting down points for discussion; identifying priorities and agreeing what will happen next with the people working with your child.

Common Assessment Framework (CAF) (separator tab* in PDF)

A section for keeping your CAF form, if you have one. The CAF is a shared assessment tool that is being used across all children’s services across England, to identify a need for co-ordinated support from a number of agencies.

Letters and assessments (separator tab* in PDF)

A section to keep any current papers or information that you want to take with you to appointments.

The Family file and National Child Health Record books

The Family file is used alongside the National Child Health Record (the red or yellow book) as it adds value to the record books for families who need more support where co-ordination of multiple contacts is an issue.

The red/yellow book is a key document for health visitors working with families. Families with disabled children asked for something additional and in A4 format, so they could write in it easily.

Speak to your key worker or practitioner if you would like any help and support with these materials.