Tips from the Fatherhood Institute

[Ciaran_4Children Profile Website]

Hi everyone, the Fatherhood Institute have kindly provided the following tips for working with fathers which we think are ace:

-Audit your environment. Think about how you could change your décor, posters and noticeboards to make them more appealing to dads as well as mums. Your service should be reaching out to everyone, so make sure you display positive images of a diverse range of dads with their children;

- Address dads directly. If you want to provide a service where dads are welcome and feel included, clarify this by addressing letters, flyers and the like to 'Mum and Dad' or 'Dad' rather than to 'Parents' - which most mums and dads read as meaning 'mothers';

- Think about your record-keeping. Your registration forms should have a space for 'father' and another for 'other key carers', which could include stepfathers, amongst others. Also make sure you know who has Parental Responsibility. If you only have contact with the mum, you should routinely explore the possible benefits to her and the children of dad engaging with the service... legally you CAN record any information the mother gives you about him, and then contact him to verify it and introduce yourselves;

- Make sure ALL your staff understand fathers' importance to their children, and build in the acquisition and use of this knowledge into your job descriptions, person specifications and appraisal processes - just as you would with equality and diversity awareness;

- Help your staff work through any concerns (expressed or otherwise) they have about working with fathers, and support them to develop their skills, via whole-team training on working with fathers;

- Don't assume you know what dads will want from your service - ask them! You could develop a questionnaire to find out what they like to do with their children and what kinds of things they'd like your service to offer. Then promote it in places you know dads go to - you could even hold a dads' event to get the ball rolling; and

- Don't just set up a dads' group. This is what many agencies do, thinking that by doing so they are providing a father-inclusive service. Dad-only activities can work, but so can mixed sessions; and also don't assume that dads will only come on a weekend. Many fathers will be in full-time employment, but so will many mothers...others won't. A REALLY father-inclusive service offers mums and dads a range of provision including mixed sessions, held during weekdays, evenings and weekends.

Do you have any suggestions to add to that? Or do you think that some of these might not work? We'd love to hear from you!

[Dancer Profile]

Hello there

I visited a Children's Centre today and they had booklets available for families including 'Daddy, Let's Play' (Southgate) by Ali Perry and Daniel Ayeni (who won a 4Children National Children's Star Award in 2010 in recognition for his work with fathers.

Looks really accessible, and lists lots of great websites for Dads too.

[DavidW Profile]

A bit radical, I know, but how about employing some more men?

[moondevil Profile]

"A bit radical, I know, but how about employing some more men?"

Here here

...also, how about some men pulling fingers out and applying?

[Sue R Profile]

Probably lots already do, but our setting (Daycare) holds regular 'bring Dad (Grandad or other 'significant' male) to nursery' weeks. We also welcome and encourage spontaneous 'stay and play' requests from any carer or family member.

[lynn.preschool Profile]

We'd like more dad's to join us - to stay and play or to pull their finger out and apply for work - I'm presently doing my BA Early Years Degree and it has been commented on as to how few men there are on the interactive forums - come on fella's where are you? - Lynn

[ahorrocks1@mac.com Profile]

I'm a dad of a 3 year old boy and have just joined this forum/website - interested to see this topic on here straight away as it's something I was discussing with my partner this week. How dads are addressed/spoken to/assumed not to be as involved as the mother - that sort of thing. Nice to be involved and see what others views are on all the different topics.

[Thomsc Profile]

Another dad of three here. Just joined the forum.

I run a group for fathers / male carers in South London, work in a nursery and I'm currently studying for my level 3 Diploma for children and young persons workforce. Looking forward to reading more here and joining in the debate.

Even though I run a (non-exclusive) fathers group during the week, I agree that mixed groups, especially at the weekend are of great benefit. As a stay-home dad I'd appreciate a more mixed group that my wife could attend at the weekend. Many weekend groups are aimed exclusively at fathers. I understand the thinking, but it's not always helpful.