Book now for ‘Engaging Fathers as Partners – Delivering for families in the ‘Big Society’

Featuring:

* Minister for Children and Families Tim Loughton MP
* Fatherhood Institute chief executive Rob Williams and head of research Adrienne Burgess
* A host of taster sessions by people working at the coalface, striving to offer father-inclusive services (see below for a list) – including the winner of our £500 ‘Dads Included’ competition

Why this conference now?

The role of fathers is changing. Fathers are spending more and more time with their children, and are more active in participating in their children’s learning and development than ever before. UK fathers carry out 25% of childcare related activities during the week, and one-third at weekends – more where both parents work full-time (EOC 2003)

A new Government with a different approach to family policy and the role of the state is creating opportunities to re-examine our thinking and practice in engaging fathers and male caregivers – both as users of services and as co-partners in the ‘Big Society’. By signing up for this conference you will find out how to motivate and mobilise this hugely valuable resource as service users and volunteers, to make a lasting and cost-effective impact on outcomes for all children and families in your local communities.

This lively one day conference will provide the first major opportunity to hear from leading experts in the field to understand and explore innovations in father-inclusive practice, and new directions in public policy for families.

Join us at our groundbreaking national Engaging Fathers as Partners Conference on 11 November 2010 at The Royal Horticultural Halls London to discover the latest thinking on engaging fathers as resources in families and communities.
The event programme

At the event you will hear from Government, service providers and fathers themselves from a range of settings – statutory and voluntary, early years, schools and beyond – about the contributions made by active fatherhood to the well-being of children, families and communities. You will also have the opportunity to learn about how best to work in partnership with fathers as service users and volunteers, and the latest evidence on the impact of engaging with fathers in families where children are vulnerable or at risk; and how to promote shared parenting.

The event will feature six vibrant Ten-minute Taster Presentations:

* Islington Children’s Social Care – Gavin Swann, head of Children in Need: A unique approach to embedding Father-Inclusivity in Children in Need processes
* St Michaels Fellowship in London – The award winning project who are engaging teenage fathers and mothers as social entrepreneurs and volunteers and more
* Liverpool HTGC: Engaging young fathers ante-natally and developing the capacity of young men as fathers.
* Stag Lane Primary School in Harrow with Campaign for Learning: Using creative projects to engage fathers in schools and family learning (Presentation with fathers and children)
* Dr Mark Osborn, based in Norfolk, talking about embedding father-inclusive thinking in CAF to support vulnerable young fathers and mothers
* The Fatherhood Institute with Portsmouth Local Authority : The first LA to undertake the Dad Test across their service.

Win £500 and the chance to showcase your work at the conference!

Why not enter for the ‘Dads Included’ Award, to win £500 and the opportunity to present at the event as a model of good practice of engaging fathers in the Big Society…we will also publish your project as a model of outstanding practice. Find out more.

Who should attend?

* Fathers, mothers and other family members
* Frontline workers and volunteers in Children’s Centres; other early years settings
* Nurseries and childcare providers
* Teachers, teaching assistants
* School nurses
* Parent School Advisors
* Head teachers
* Children’s charities
* Parenting services
* Mentoring and volunteering organisations
* Prisons and youth justice
* Youth services
* Connexions
* Social workers
* Health professionals (including health visitors, midwives, teenage pregnancy workers and mental health professionals)
* Housing
* Substance misuse and other specialist services
* Operational managers and service commissioners in all these areas.

Why you should attend

* To find out the latest information on Government policy and the ‘Big Society’
* To hear the latest research about when, where and why fathers and male carers will actively participate in families and communities
* Hear from fathers and male carers about how to engage them as partners in service delivery
* Hear about new initiatives from experienced practitioners and managers
* Understand how active fatherhood can help you deliver cost effective services in these financially challenging times

Booking details

The standard delegate price for this one day event is £195 + VAT (additional delegates £175 + VAT).
Charity rate £165 + VAT

Think Fathers Champions who have subscribed to Champions Plus benefit from a 10% discount

To book a place

Download and fill in a booking form – or call Jayne Bell on 0845 634 1328.

To benefit from Champions Plus discount sign up here