The Information System for Parents and Providers (ISPP) will deliver a national system of childcare information and broader information that may be of use to parents, such as opening hours of leisure centres, helplines etc.
This information needs to be provided by local authorities under Section 118A (3) of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 and Section 12 of the Childcare Act 2006.
The ISPP will draw on individual local authority information and combine it into a searchable format nationally. Information will be available via DirectGov, local authorities’ websites and other sites (such as Third Sector ones).
Background
The Department currently funds a centralised database system for use by Families Information Services within local authorities to give parents information about local childcare provision. This system needs redevelopment and lacks capacity.
Current status
All authorities were notified of their individual allocations in February 2008 and have until October 2008 to procure their own databases. At the same time, the Department is in the process of procuring the national aggregator to link all local authority information systems covering childcare and family services information. This procurement is due to finish in June, with a contract being awarded in July 2008.
Printed Content: The ‘Virtual Magazine’
The purpose of the ‘Virtual Magazine’ is to reach disadvantaged parents in the C2DE group who have limited or no access to the internet, and who would be more receptive to information in print.
This is likely to include those already served by individual Parent Know How services such as lone parents, fathers, and parents of children with disabilities.
However, the aim of the magazine channel is also to reach those disadvantaged parents that have not been directly targeted by the strands of Parent Know How activity that are focused on other channels.
The Virtual Magazine will be a syndicated content service which:
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provides direct support and information to parents; and/or
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signposts the broader services offered by Parent Know How.
Content should be appearing in early Summer 2008.
