Fathers Matter Project
The Family Rights Group two year action-research project ‘Fathers Matter’ which has been exploring the involvement of fathers in social care settings has now produced a number of exciting outputs, including two major reports, two conferences and a web-based discussion board for professionals, which includes examples of highly promising practice.
The first report Fathers Matter: Research Findings on Fathers and their Involvement with Social Care Services was, in essence, a research review – the ‘story so far’ about how fathers were – or were not – being engaged with in social care settings. The second report Fathers Matter 2 – Further Findings on Fathers and their Involvement with Social Care Services has progressed this work by outlining the findings of the FRG’s two-year action research programme, which has included:
- work with two Children’s Services authorities to develop replicable ‘best practice’ models on working with fathers
- a survey of, and work with, higher education institutions to improve the teaching of social work students on engaging fathers
- involving fathers in social work course design and delivery
- developing and piloting a training course for social care workers and managers
- supporting fathers to become joint trainers on this and other social care education courses
- legal information and advice for fathers, paternal relatives and practitioners.
To read all about this fascinating project, order copies of the report, view presentations from the conferences and access the discussion board, go to http://www.frg.org.uk/fathers_project.html
Tags: Vulnerable families
