Engaging Dad's Workforce Training (CECD)
Background to the project
The inclusion of dads and male caregivers from pregnancy through the Early Years contributes to positive outcomes for children’s social and emotional development. A recent data review by Blackpool Better Start demonstrated that only 31% of dads were engaging in Better Start funded activities and services, this dropping to 16% at universal/community level.
Prioritising effective and inclusive support has been identified as being a key area of work for Better Start, although good work has taken place issues have been identified which are continuing to contribute to the marginalisation of males in services, such as systems not being set up to record information about partners and fathers as well as challenges to the involvement of male carers within services.
The community offer
The Washington Group are to develop a bespoke training package for the Blackpool Early Years workforce which demonstrates the practice of engaging Dad’s and builds upon the already implemented Institute of Health Visiting Fathers and Perinatal Mental Health training.
The engaging of dads’ training will use the latest research and be co-produced with Blackpool dads and will:
- Highlight the positive role and value of dads in the early years (conception to aged 4).
- Share knowledge of the potential barriers for engagement in early years services (including gendered perceptions as well as traditional factors such as housing, finance, utilities, mental well-being etc.) in a Blackpool context.
- Consider and demonstrated how this might present itself in their work practices (e.g., institutionalised bias).
- Provide strategies that support positive interactions and engagement with dads to reduce marginalisation within Blackpool service practices.
Engaging With Dads Training
Dad’s Voices and Participation in Children’s Lives: Working with Professionals
United Youth Alliance using co-production and co-design techniques, have developed a participative training event to enable understanding and awareness of the lived experiences of Fatherhood, Dad’s and Parenting and engagement with services.The two-hour participative training enables the development of services, delivery, and policy responses to Dad’s involvement in children’s lives.
The training aims to:
• promote the value of enhanced practice responses.
• support inclusive development of children and families work.
• secures beneficial understanding that aligns directly to improved responses and delivery.
There will be a specific focus in the training upon listening to the stories and experiences of Dad’s and working through some case study examples towards an enhanced understanding.
You will formulate key concepts into practice areas and identify potential developments with some valuable discussion to take away from the training event.
If you wish to discuss your bespoke individual or organisational needs prior to the event, please contact admin@uyacic.org
This two-hour session delivers real life stories and experiences from dads and gives professionals valuable insight into local dads’ behaviour and engagement with services.
Funded by Blackpool Better Start and Start for Life.
This training is open to all Blackpool professionals, both local authority and external, who are working with families and particularly fathers. Content is weighted to early years fathers (pregnancy to 4 years).
The training offers the space to connect and learn from our Blackpool Dads and each other. By discussing and understanding those dads’ experiences and behaviour, you will:
- Learn what matters to dads
- Respond to dads in a way that helps them to start engaging with you
- Act in practical ways to better help keep dads engaged with you
Meet the UYA team
Deborah Terras
Director
Sue Littlefair
Director
Jake Adams
Director
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