A conference organised by Community Care magazine in partnership with Fathers Direct

Conference chair:
Janet Snell, Deputy Editor, Community Care

Keynote address:
Beverley Hughes MP, Minister for Children, Young People and Families

Speakers:
Professor Harry Ferguson, University of the West of England
Scott Hickman, Sure Start Millbrook, Redbridge and Maybush (MRM)
Tony Piggott, Sure Start Millbrook, Redbridge and Maybush (MRM) Children’s Centre
Dr W D Platt, University of Bristol
Cathy Ashley, Family Rights Group
Melvyn Davis, boys2MEN, Coram Project
Simon Newstone, Independent Consultant and Child Care Trainer
Jim Wild, Nottingham Trent University
Jack O’Sullivan, Fathers Direct
David Bartlett, Fathers Direct

Why this conference?

Engaging and working effectively with fathers and other men who affect the wellbeing of children and families is now firmly emphasised in policy frameworks as a strategic requirement for all Children’s Services. There is
a substantial evidence base establishing the significant impact men have on children’s lives and wellbeing, and a growing body of practice showing how working with men can be an important part of effective engagement
with families. Yet working with men often poses real challenges for professionals. Service provision and resources still do not adequately reflect the importance of positively engaging and working with men.
Many feel particularly ill-equipped to work with difficult, defensive and sometimes violent or dangerous men.

This one-day conference will examine the challenges and opportunities of working with and engaging men and highlight examples of good practice.

Who should attend?

Children and Families Social Workers
Fostering and Adoption Social Workers
Sure Start professionals
Children’s Centres professionals
Family Support Workers
Social Workers working with adults
Child Protection Social Workers and team managers
Anyone in health, social care, charities or the voluntary sector working with adult men or children

KEY TOPICS INCLUDE:
• Goals and challenges for social care agencies working with men
• Working effectively and safely with men
• Family assessments and the father-child relationship
• Research findings on fathers’ involvement with social care services
• Engaging black and minority ethnic men
• Foster and adoptive fathers
• Fathers, popular culture and social change
• Working with men in child protection systems

…………PRICES:
£299 + VAT (NHS and Public Sector)

£199 + VAT (Voluntary Sector, Charities and Not-For Profit Sector)

Documentation only £99 (zero VAT) per pack – paper format

The Men’s Studies Unit offers the first professional diploma focusing on men and masculinities which will assist staff in social work and social care to become more effective practitioners when working with men.

Training the social care workforce about fatherhood. To find out more, contact Liz: l.rand@fathersdirect.com or
01604 630194

BOOKING HOTLINE: 020 7347 3575
www.conferencesandtraining.com/men