Directory Connect

Service data infrastructure 
software for local authorities

Directory Connect

Service data infrastructure
software for local authorities

A single source of truth for local service information – built on over 20 years of experience.

A single source of truth for local service information – built on over 20 years of experience.

Directory Connect helps local authorities create one trusted source of local service information, making it easier to manage, connect and publish accurate data across SEND, Family Information Services, Adult Social Care, Early Help, Family Hubs, public health and community support.

0+
years’ experience
0m
monthly directory visitors

API-first

Open Referral UK aligned

Award-winning local authority directories

Key benefits

Create one trusted source of local service information

Directory Connect brings fragmented service directories into a single platform.

  • Directory Connect combines an API-first, structured dataset with live, accessible web pages, ensuring trusted service information is consistently delivered across websites, directories and apps for residents, carers and professionals.
  • Eliminate duplication and inconsistency across SEND, Family Information, Early Help, Adult Social Care and community directories.
  • Improve data quality with clear ownership, governance, version control and auditability.
  • Reduce administration with a single, shared admin hub for multiservice teams – update service information once and keep it consistent across teams and systems.

Supports statutory duties and priority programmes

Directory Connect supports local authorities in meeting statutory requirements across Adult and Children’s Services.

Proven across:

  • SEND Local Offer (0–25).
  • Family Information Services.
  • Early Help, Family Hubs and front door services.
  • Adult Social Care information and advice.
  • Carers strategies and support.
  • Prevention, independence and ageing well.
  • Community hubs and neighbourhood services.

Built for SEND, Early help, family hubs and adult social care

Directory Connect supports families, carers and professionals to find trusted information about local services that underpin prevention, early help, statutory information and advice, and care navigation.

  • Support SEND Local Offer requirements with trusted service information.
  • Enable families to access SEND information and guidance with ease.
  • Encourage engagement with Family Hubs and sign-post to Early Help services.
  • Underpin Adult Social Care information including Care Act requirements.
  • Make community‑based and preventative services visible before needs escalate.
  • Support carers with information about local support and entitlements.

Improve access for residents, carers and professionals

Directory Connect helps residents, carers, families and professionals find the right support quickly – while giving local authority teams the insight needed to manage demand and improve delivery. 

  • Built on an API-first foundation, Directory Connect securely connects to Ofsted, CQC, NHS and other authoritative sources, ensuring an accurate, up-to-date view of schools, care homes and other services.
  • Enable residents to self-serve through intuitive search and filters, combining fuzzy matching for partial or misspelled queries with contextual search for those who know the problem they’re trying to solve, but not the service name.
  • Built-in Google Maps and review integration enables residents to find, compare and choose services with confidence.
  • Ensure inclusive access through WCAG 2.2 AA‑compliant, fully localised design.
  • Support faster routes to help with light‑touch referrals and email/SMS notifications.
  • Report builder included that helps monitor engagement across services to understand demand and user behaviour.
  • Track data quality, freshness and usage to maintain trust and reduce risk.

Use insight to inform commissioning, prevention strategies and transformation programmes.

Secure, scalable and co-designed

A platform senior leaders can rely on – now and in the future.

Directory Connect is co‑designed with local authorities, parent carer forums, providers and residents.

  • Secure, cloud‑hosted AWS infrastructure.
  • Audit logs, encryption and secure authentication.
  • Open APIs and Open Referral UK compliance.
  • Scales as services, partners and demand grow.
  • Backed by more than 20 years of directory expertise and continuous product investment.
  • Idox-powered directories are award-winning, with multiple NAFIS Awards for Local Offer, Family Information and community engagement.

Connecting services across your local authority

Connecting services across your local authority

From IT & Digital to SEND, Early Help, Family Information, Adult Social Care, Public Health & Community services

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What our customers say

Discover how Directory Connect is supporting
local authority teams and residents.

Directory connect supports community in London borough of Sutton

We wanted residents to access the information they need without having to look through multiple directories or scan through less relevant information.

Charlotte Perry
Commissioning Manager for Sutton Information Hub

Four people collaborating on a community services platform

We needed a centralised platform where residents could access vital resources in the right place at the right time.

Katharine Dallas
Health in All Policies Lead, Royal Borough of Kingston

Idox’s award-winning Directory platform supports a diverse local community

We work closely with Idox to help ensure the Directory delivers information services to the community easily, quickly and all in one place.

Maryam Makki
Reading Borough Council

News

Explore the latest updates and
insights from Directory Connect.

Explore the latest updates and insights from Directory Connect.

Idox Directory Customers NAFIS Awards

Celebrating Excellence: Idox Directory Customers Shine at NAFIS Awards

We’re proud to share some fantastic news from the recent National Association of Family Information Services (NAFIS) Awards, where two of our valued Directory customers were recognised for their outstanding contributions to supporting families and communities.

New look, same vital support: South Glos Life

New look, same vital support: South Glos Life

South Gloucestershire Council has successfully relaunched its refreshed Directory, co-produced with the South Glos community and created in partnership with Idox. The Directory is central to the council’s mission of delivering early help and preventative support to families.

idox directory abstract

Why most service data is fragmented

Across UK local authorities, service information is one of the most critical – yet most fragmented of assets. Despite sustained investment in digital services, directories, SEND Local Offer information and service listings can be siloed, out of date and inconsistent.

Explore additional resources

Get valuable insights to support
informed decision making.

Social Care & SEND newsletter

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Download our Directory Connect Solution Overview for Leaders

An executive level overview of Directory Connect

Hackney Council

Learn how London Borough of Hackney improved its Local Offer.

Get in touch to discover
more about Directory Connect

Get in touch to discover more about Directory Connect

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