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. 

Want to get involved….

We know that the inclusion of dads and male carers from pregnancy to early years contributes to positive outcomes for children’s social and emotional development.

We want to help shape and improve services to ensure dads and male cares are included and seen in these services. Can you help? want to get involved?

Or complete the form here and we will be in touch https://forms.office.com/r/YA6wnfbQdk