Case study: Bath & NE Somerset Council ‘Celebrating Fatherhood’ initiative
This regional year-long campaign (2012-13) developed in partnership with a small multi-agency working group convened and led by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, promoted the importance of fathers in children’s lives to family professionals, policy makers, families and the wider local public.
Activities included training professionals (via sessions provided by the Fatherhood Institute*), a photographic exhibition, a film, a calendar, website, a celebration event, ‘Fathers’ Fridays’ in early years settings and schools, initiatives to engage local media, a review of males in the local early years workforce, a ‘lessons learnt’ booklet and other strategies. Research, evaluation and support were provided by the University of Bath.
Results have been astounding: for example, the number of fathers using services in local Children’s Centres more than doubled (from 1666 in 201/12 to 3772 in 2012/13) and dads attending Fathers’ Fridays over the same period rose from 200 to 1122. The percentage of fathers attending Special Educational Needs statementing meetings rose from 2% to 25%. Local media coverage with fathers as the focus rose from ‘none’ to 19.
For further results and project description: www.bathnes.gov.uk/celebratingfatherhood
Download a project summary: Celebrating Fatherhood
Download a summary of outcome measures: Celebrating Fatherhood outcomes
*For a full menu of Fatherhood Institute training options, hover your mouse over the Training & Consultancy tab at the top of the FI website.
Tags: Early years, Schools, Vulnerable families
