The Fatherhood Institute has been awarded a 50% increase (to £440,000) in core funding from Government from 2009*, to support their growing role in shaping a child-focused narrative on fatherhood in children’s policy and services.

The Institute has spearheaded a string of initiatives over the last 12 months, including a major cross-charity campaign to improve support for separating families, called “Kids in the Middle”. It has also led a key debate on the role of fathers in maternity services – stimulating a Government summit on the issue early in 2009 – and influenced key Government strategies on both children’s services and health.

Kids in the Middle, backed by 24 of the nation’s agony aunts, prompted the Government’s first ever ‘Relationship Summit’ and secured £55 million backing for separating families and children affected by relationship breakdown.

In the coming months, the Institute will support the ‘Think Fathers’ campaign, launched in November 2008 by Children’s Minister Beverley Hughes to help improve the way children’s services currently work with dads.

A new chief executive

Meanwhile, Duncan Fisher – appointed an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to children – is leaving the Fatherhood Institute in order to develop new partnerships and campaigns on fatherhood, with organisations working with children. After 31 January he will continue to act as a consultant for the Institute.

David Bartlett and Steve Harwood will be sharing the role of Interim Chief Executive until Duncan’s successor is appointed.

*The Department for Children, Schools and Families has awarded the Fatherhood Institute a Children and Young People’s Fund grant of £440,000 in 2009-10 and £430,000 in 2010-11. This compares with a grant of £300,000 in 2008-09.