We are currently in the process of building a new board of Trustees, a process being managed by our new Chair of Trustees, Equal Opportunities Commission Chair Julie Mellor. At the EOC Ms Mellor has led the development of a new narrative about equality and caring, focused on the way women and men share caring roles. Seven new trustees have been recruited, and the first meeting of the new board took place in April 2005. The make-up of the board has been planned carefully in order to secure expertise in child welfare, women/equality, poverty, business, key public services and governance. In addition, we are striving for a board that has a balance of men/women (it is difficult to recruit enough men), race and England/ Wales/ Scotland. Child welfare is represented on our new Board by Bronwen Cohen (CEO, Children in Scotland), Lisa Harker (Chair of the Daycare Trust) and Prof. Michael Lamb (Cambridge University. Professor Lamb is the world’s leading expert on the role of the father in child development). Melvyn Davis (Coram Boys2Men project) brings expertise in boys/young men; Carolyn Unsted (formerly DfES, currently Lewisham LEA), education; and Ben Rose (lawyer and social entrepreneur), governance. For the moment just one more Trustee will be appointed – in Finance.

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Father-involvement and British Indian and White teenagers

Oxford academic Eirini Flouri has explored the relationship between fathers’ involvement and their teenagers’ psychological adjustment– in both Indian and White two-parent families in Britain. Indian British and White British girls experienced similar levels of father involvement, and their psychosocial adjustment was similar, too. For boys it was different. Indian fathers were more likely to be involved with their sons than were White British dads – and their boys reported higher ‘prosocial’ behaviour, and lower ‘total difficulties’.

When White British fathers’ involvement scores were especially low, their boys exhibited greater ‘peer problems’ than when fathers were more involved. Interestingly (for those who think boys need dads more than girls) their daughters fared even worse, not only exhibiting ‘peer problems’ but also ‘conduct problems’ and ‘total difficulties’. The same negative effects were not found in Indian families – either for sons or for daughters (perhaps the Indian ‘extended family’ provides support when a father’s involvement is especially low? – Ed.)

Ref: Flouri E (2005) ‘Father’s Involvement and Psychological Adjustment in Indian and White British Secondary School Age Children’ in Child and Adolescent Mental Health 10(1):32–39

Eirini Flouri’s 2005 book: Fathering and Child Outcomes which contains this as well as other UK research she has undertaken, is published by John Wiley & Sons ISBN 0-47D-86168-1

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Separated families wanted for reality TV programme

Award winning television producers, Twenty Twenty Television, are looking for families to take part in a pioneering course for separated parents whose children are suffering as a result of their split. This documentary series will introduce former couples to a child focused mediation specialist who can teach parents how to work together to minimise the negative effects of separation on their children. If you would like to find out more please contact Dee on 020 7424 7735/020 7284 2020 or email deekahlon@twentytwenty.tv

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Would involved fathers boss mums around?

Social care workers can be ambivalent about involving fathers, fearing they will ‘take over’ and be unsupportive. Of course some may, but research suggests that this would not be a major problem. A report on Family Group Conferencing in Wales found that even quite powerful men mainly deferred to their female partners around parenting(1); and an American study found that men with good ‘attachment histories’ whose input would likely have been positive, were particularly unlikely to try to influence their partner – a sad waste of a good resource (2). Now a UK poll (3) has found that, despite the popular belief that men aren’t comfortable with breastfeeding, 71% feel perfectly fine about it – and 79% actually want their child to be breast-fed. However, only 56% said they have or would try to influence or advise their partner whether or not to breast-feed. What a shame.

Refs: 1) Holland, S, O’Neill S, Scourfield J & Pithouse A (2003) Outcomes in Family Group Conferences for children on the brink of care: a study in child and family participation. Cardiff University School of Social Sciences for the Wales Office for Research and Development in Social Care
2) Cowan P & Cowan C P (2001) ‘A couple perspective on the transmission of attachment patterns’ in Christopher Clulow (Ed.) Adult Attachment and Couple Psychotherapy London: Brunner-Routledge
3) ‘Breast is best say Fathers’, The Guardian, May 5, 2005: National Breastfeeding Awareness Week Poll

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Thanks to everyone at our ‘Working with Fathers’ Conference

Our April 5th Conference at the Institute of Education in London was, as in 2004, booked out with almost 1,000 delegates and almost 70 speakers, from all over Britain and the Irish Republic – and, this year, from Europe, the US, Australia and New Zealand, too. There were so many brilliant presentations that we can’t pick any out above the rest. The field is becoming more subtle and impressive each year: thanks to everyone who shared their wisdom – you made the event HUGE.

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SPECIAL OFFERS

REDUCED PRICE! places on ‘Drugs and Alcohol’ training course

Together with Adfam, Fathers Direct is planning a special training course in Leeds on 22 September 2005: ‘Working with Fathers where there are Drugs/Alcohol Issues in the Family’. Thanks to the Parenting Fund, places on this course can be offered FREE (though non-attendance will be charged at £50, via a returnable deposit. This course will be of interest to all agencies working with families – as well as specialist drugs/alcohol agencies. Contact Peter Cartwright at Adfam: p.cartwright@adfam.org.uk or telephone 020 7202 9435

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FD TRAINING & CONSULTANCY

About our training and consultancy

We offer a wide range of public and in-house training courses (some accredited), and work in partnership to help agencies develop effective approaches to support children’s relationships with their fathers and other male carers. Our culturally diverse male and female trainers have in-depth knowledge of how to set up father-friendly services, particularly in deprived communities, and guide trainees through a range of practical approaches, backed up by detailed handouts and our ‘Working with Fathers’ Six-Step Guide. Clients include maternity and early years services, child and family support services, child protection agencies, schools, Connexions, CAMHS teams, teenage pregnancy teams, YOTs, YOIs, prisons etc. There are courses for beginners, and courses for managers; general courses, and specialist courses; 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day courses. We also offer audit, consultancy and project management, and external evaluation; and can help you organise an Awareness-Raising Conference in your district, to explore key issues for local families and services.

Read more about our training and consultancy and see course outlines http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?id=0&catID=7

For an exploratory discussion about in-house and local support contact David Bartlett on 01422 847825 d.bartlett@fathersdirect.com

For enquiries or to book a place phone 0845 6341328 or download a PDF price list and booking form http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/download.php?pID=1235.8

To read PDF price list and booking form download ADOBE ACROBAT here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Fatherhood Quality Mark Icon About our Fatherhood Quality Mark (FQM)

The Fatherhood Quality Mark (FQM) is a kite-marking process by which a body shows that it is serious about understanding and strengthening children’s relationships with their fathers. It is both a way of validating what an agency is already doing, and developing more effective strategies for the future. The FQM is available to service providers in a range of social care sectors and can be obtained at two levels.

Read more about the FQM http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?nID=41

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JOB SHOP

boys2MEN

Project Workers (Fathers/Male Carers)
1 @ SureStart South Kilburn (Camden) 17.5 hrs. p.w. (£12,321 p.a.)
1 @ SureStart Roundwood (Brent) 21 hrs. p.w.(£15,313 p.a.)
1 @ SureStart Copenhagen (Islington) 17.5 hrs. p.w. (£12,321 p.a.)
Project Administrator
35 hrs. p.w. £19K – £22K p.a. (permanent position)
Male Project Co-ordinator
35 hrs. p.w. £19K – £22K p.a. (permanent position)
APPLICATION PACK/ MORE DETAILS: Contact: Verona (0207 604 5960)
info@coram-b2m.org.uk

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RESPECT

London (SE1): DV Perpetrator Phoneline Worker

35 hrs p.w SO2 £27,720 (incl ILW) + 6% pension
Respect is the UK association for domestic violence perpetrator programmes and associated support services. This new position is to assist in the first UK Phoneline for domestic violence perpetrators. You will need:

a clear understanding of domestic violence issues
a commitment to increasing safety through interventions with perpetrators
2 years client work in the dv field
experience of phone support work

Contact 020 8563 8523, PO Box 34434, London, W6 0YS or email info@respect.uk.net

Closing date: 12pm on 15.07.05

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FD PUBLICATIONS

All FD publications can be purchased on line http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?nID=shop or by telephone on 0845 634 1328

FatherWork Magazine

The current edition of FatherWork explores – among other things – the issue of fathers in schools, presenting innovations in the classroom and by companies working in schools. It also covers some of the speakers and innovative projects from our ‘Working with Fathers’ Conference in April, an account of the success of Mensline in Australia, a dedicated telephone support service for fathers. And of course there’s the usual great writing and images, as well as the three detailed case studies you now find in every issue.. These highlight ‘lessons learned’ and support our accredited ‘Working with Fathers’ trainings as well as our six-step booklet Working with Fathers: a guide for everyone working with families by enabling you to build up a bank of 12 ‘best practice’ case studies per year when you take out a subscription.

We’ve designed FATHERWORK not just to give you INFORMATION but to act as an ATTRACTIVE RESOURCE. Don’t file your copy away – leave it lying around: colleagues and service users will read it, and its presence will act as a ‘welcome’ to dads. And if you want material to give to fathers, think about ordering back copies of FATHERWORK.

Annual Subscription: £32 – subscribe to FATHERWORK http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?prodID=8

FatherWorld Report

There’s never been a publication like FATHERWORLD: it’s a special 28-page one-off international edition of our quarterly FatherWork magazine. Double the usual size, packed with stunning images and gripping fathers’ tales, it introduces projects from Siberia to Sweden, Brazil to Cameroon, South Africa to Australia, and reveals the extent to which fatherhood is a growing area of concern all over the world. Read about the Aka Pygmies from Central Africa (the international stars of paternal involvement), South Korea’s national ”Dads Club’, the work done with rival Latino gangs in the ‘third world’ streets of Los Angeles – while not forgetting the ‘best of British’ . It’s a MUST for your reception area – and everyone at home will read it, too. Price: £5.99 Order ‘FatherWorld’ Report http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?prodID=14

Working with Fathers: our Six-Step Guide (for everyone working with families)

This unique user-friendly 32 page guide is full of practical tips and strategies and sets out a six-step process for engaging effectively with fathers and other male carers, in both dedicated and mainstream services. (Attendees at our training courses receive a free copy.) Price: £6.95. Order ‘Working with Fathers’ http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?prodID=5

Prison Briefing (‘Inside Fatherhood’)

This Fathers Direct FatherFacts briefing paper, INSIDE FATHERHOOD, details latest research and best practice in supporting relationships between children and convicted dads, both in and out of prison. Price: £5.95 Order ‘Inside Fatherhood’: Prison Briefing http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?prodID=12

Photopack and Posters

Three full size quality posters of positive images of fathers and children for display purposes, together with a pack of 20 high quality A5 laminated images of fathers, children and mothers for use in individual and groupwork with dads. Each A5 image is accompanied by a key research fact showing the importance of fathers in child development.
Price: Photopack £19 + VAT Order ‘FatherPhotos’ http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?prodID=1 Posters £12 + VAT Order ‘FatherPosters’ http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?prodID=6

Working with Fathers in Maternity Services
Our Maternity Services Briefing Paper – ‘How to Build New Dads" – is of particular interest to midwives and anyone involved in maternity and post-natal care. This paper deals with the research on the impact of fathering behaviour and attitudes on maternal and infant outcomes: case studies of good practice relating to fathers in the maternity services; recommendations for practice in maternity services. Order ‘How to Build New Dads’ http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?prodID=13

What Good Are Dads?

This Fact Sheet is out of print, so we let you download the text in pdf format for FREE – http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/download.php?pID=1202.4

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FATHERHOOD DIARY OF EVENTS

Online Events Listing

We keep an up to date DIARY of EVENTS http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?id=0&catID=6 listing on our website, laid out month by month. We only include events that contain at least a fatherhood or gender-awareness ‘thread’.

U Tell Us

We are keen to hear about other fatherhood events – or events with a clear gender-awareness element – scheduled for 2005/6. Email us at diary@fathersdirect.com

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PARTNERS’ RESOURCES

Young Fathers Project Evaluation Report (TSA)

This comprehensive report evaluates the work of the five different young fathers’ projects that were part of the TSA’s Young Fathers Project. The report identifies key ingredients for successful work with young fathers and includes extensive comments from project workers and young fathers themselves. Price: £14.99. ISBN 871504627 Order from: publications@tsa.uk.com, telephone 01273 693311 or order online at www.tsa.uk.com

Journey into Fatherhood (Young Voice)

‘The Journey Into Fatherhood: Young Fathers in Prison’ is a tape recorded conversation between five young prison fathers. Produced by YOUNG VOICE, the national charity, It takes the listener on an emotional journey from the time they found they were to become fathers, through to their hopes and aspirations for their future roles in their children’s lives. The tape comes with a transcript of their conversation, and would be a useful resource as a group work or ‘listen alone’ tool with any fathers. Quotations from the text could also be usefully incorporated into other documents. Price: £7. Order from: orders@young-voice.org, telephone 0208 9794991 www.young-voice.org

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BOOKSHELF

Fathers and Early Childhood Programmes

Fagan J & Palm G (2004) Fathers and Early Childhood Programs. New York: Delmar Learning

The authors of this book each have more than 20 years’ experience as researchers, practitioners and evaluators of US programmes that have attempted to involve fathers in Early Childhood Programmes, such as Head Start. Detailed information on strategies is translated into useful approaches for ‘getting men in’; case studies enable readers to connect easily with the ideas presented; and the book contains useful tools (such as needs assessments) and suggests father/child activities, many of which should work brilliantly in a UK context. In our view, no practitioner should be without this book. You can order it from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1401804632/qid=1118136955/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-8394807-4163143?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

First-time Father: pregnancy, birth and starting out as a dad

White T & Russell G (2005) First Time Father: starting out as a dad. Sydney: Finch Publishing

Another remarkable book, by two men with – between them – two life-times’ experience evaluating fatherhood projects, carrying out research, and engaging with men in ante-natal, community and workplace settings. In this practical and straightforward book, Tony White and Dr Graeme Russell help ‘expectant’ dads understand what is happening from the start of the pregnancy through to the first few months with their new baby. No peri-natal practitioner should be without this book. Order it direct from the publisher http://www.finch.com.au/

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CASE STUDY OF THE MONTH

Who Let the Dads Out?

At Hoole Lighthouse Community Family Centre in Chester, fathers’ work grew from the mothers’ wishes: they wanted the men to receive encouragement and support in their parenting role, so they might become more involved at home. A classic ‘taster’ event to stir up interest and identify recruits was decided on – a dads-and-kids get-together at the Centre on the Saturday morning before Mothers’ Day. Children and fathers would eat bacon butties and ‘make mum a present’, while she had some time off. This gave the event a clear, time-limited purpose, and was attractive to everyone who might influence the men’s attendance – the mothers, the children, and the fathers themselves. The title, which neatly reflects the fact that men, more than women, tend to have anti-authority leanings, proved a winner: when WHO LET THE DADS OUT? opened its doors that Saturday, twenty-two dads walked through . . . Today, more than thirty men attend the monthly sessions . . .

For a full report on this project look out for the July 2005 edition of FatherWork Magazine: this case study is one of three detailed case studies we now include in each issue to help you develop your own practice.

Annual Subscription: £32 – subscribe to FATHERWORK http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?prodID=8

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THE FD NETWORK

Communicate with us

We have a central phone number: 0845 634 1328, or can be contacted on mail@fathersdirect.com. We look forward to your comments on this website, and are delighted when you notify us of anything you’d like publicised such as events, employment opportunities, relevant books, journal articles or reports, and details of work with fathers – all over the world. We can often publicise these in this email newsletter, or in our other publications.

Search for other network members
Fathers Direct has an extensive database of fatherworkers and people interested in working with fathers. We are able to email a post-code-based-section of our database on your behalf, for a fee of £20. We send an email that you yourself write, and recipients can choose whether or not to respond. This way, full confidentiality is maintained. We are, of course, unable to guarantee a response. Price (Incl. VAT): £20.00. Contact us to purchase a search. http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?prodID=15

Register for this free monthly email newsletter

Our Network of researchers, practitioners and policy makers is now over 4,500 members strong. All Network Members receive this FREE monthly email newsletter. If you do not already receive it, you can register here http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/index.php?nID=register If you know anyone in your organisation who should also receive it, please send their details to us at mail@fathersdirect.com.

De-Register from this Newsletter

If you would like to unsubscribe from this newsletter, go to www.fatherhoodinstitute.org and log into your account (if you can’t remember your password, you can request it to be sent to your email address from the site. Once you’re logged in, click on "My Account" in the top right hand corner of the website and untick "Monthly Email". This will ensure you do not get these newsletters.

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Training

Training brochure
Watch our quick guide to FI training clip (1 min) Many ‘official’ guidelines and policy documents call on family services to engage more, and more effectively, with fathers.

Fathers and breastfeeding – what’s it got to do with them?
It is World Breastfeeding Week, and to celebrate we are offering a special 20% discount on our Fathers and Breastfeeding – What’s it got to do with them?

Free online groups for new and expectant dads during Covid-19
Dads have a critical impact on babies, but during the Covid-19 pandemic, fathers face significant extra challenges. Many dads are being excluded from NHS appointments, scans or early labour, and access to health visitors or other family support is limited. That’s why we’re teaming up with Best Beginnings to run small online groups for dads, under a Barnardo’s programme funded by the Department for Education.

News

Let’s celebrate involved fatherhood this International Women’s Day
The Fatherhood Institute’s vision is of a society that gives all children a strong and positive relationship with their father and any father-figures; supports both mothers and fathers as earners and carers; and prepares boys and girls for a future shared role in caring for children.

Half of UK parents not happy with paternity packages offered by employers
A new ‘Paternity League’ Table released today (4 October 2022) by childcare service Koru Kids, shines a spotlight on the most and least generous paternity leave packages that the UK companies on Glassdoor’s ‘Top 50 Best Places To Work 2022’* offer.

Unhappy Father’s Day: the dad-shaped hole in UK postnatal services
NHS maternity, health visiting and other family services are failing babies by ignoring their fathers during the first postnatal year, according to our latest evidence review, Bringing Baby Home, published for Father’s Day 2022.