Consult Research 27th April 2010 Supporting the Transition to Fatherhood: An Evaluation of HTGC in Staffordshire Claire Fraser Consult Research w: e: t:

Consult Research 27th April 2010 Presentation Outline Evaluation Aims and Methodology Participants Findings from 3 sites across Staffordshire –‘Expectant’ fathers –‘New’ fathers –Session Facilitators Recommendations for recruiting to and delivering HTGC

Consult Research 27th April 2010 Evaluation Aims Programme Effectiveness: Do expectant fathers feel more confident and prepared for fatherhood after HTGC? Are expectant and new fathers satisfied with the support received from HTGC? Does HTGC increase fathers’ awareness of, and participation in, other mainstream children and family services?

Consult Research 27th April 2010 Evaluation Methodology Three stage evaluation for purposes of pilot –Pre (baseline) session; post-session; 3 mth follow-up Individual sessional evaluation questionnaires Semi-structured telephone interviews with ‘expectant’ fathers (now fathers) Non-participant observation by lead evaluator at each site & co-facilitation of review days In-depth interviews with facilitators, managers and strategic leads

Consult Research 27th April 2010 Evaluation Participants 15 sessions delivered (July 08 – Oct 09) Total participating = 73 (EF) and 39 (NF) Summary of data from 3 sites: 42 expectant fathers completed pre and post session questionnaires & 17 of these participated in 3 month follow-up interview 23 ‘new’ fathers completed pre and post session questionnaires

Consult Research 27th April 2010 Baseline Data – Expectant Fathers Mostly White British (88%); aged years (81%); working full-time (81%); living with their partner (95%) & (90.5%) first-time father Recruitment largely via antenatal professionals (60%), via female partner (24%) or friend (10%) Most were engaged with antenatal process & had actively sought information on fatherhood But low satisfaction levels with level of support available for expectant fathers and very few with any practical experience of hands-on baby care

Consult Research 27th April 2010 Findings – Expectant Fathers What do they say about the sessions? –Provides unique support - not available elsewhere in antenatal provision – a valued ‘dads-only’ space: “You don’t have to be embarrassed about asking things that your partner may already know” “Fantastic…I was much more open to learning because it was presented from a male perspective” “Some thinking outside the box at last - the 1 st male perspective discussion during the whole pregnancy”

Consult Research 27th April 2010 Findings – Expectant Fathers But female facilitators OK! –Facilitator gender not an issue for most: “In fact it might help, might stop the male ego coming out where we all start talking about cars and football” Is parenting experience necessary? Highly rated facilitators – ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ All would recommend HTGC to other expectant fathers Evidence of increased likelihood of future engagement in ‘mainstream’ services

Consult Research 27th April 2010 Findings – Expectant Fathers Post-session scores reveal: –Increased confidence levels –Increased preparedness for fatherhood Understanding feelings about pregnancy Learning how to improve the couple relationship –Benefits of peer learning highlighted –Assumptions regarding mainstream parent and child services challenged –But…other barriers still exist

Consult Research 27th April 2010 Findings – New Fathers Reasons for participating Very positive reactions from partners Personal benefits of participation: “It has given me a real sense of achievement knowing I am helping other dads get involved sooner and helping them understand how hard it is for the mother” “It made me feel good and confident and it is nice to let expectant dads know that it is not as bad as they imagine” “It is nice to help people & I definitely benefited from spending some time with other dads”

Consult Research 27th April 2010 Findings – 3 month follow up Telephone interviews – 17 new fathers Further supporting evidence of positive impact including utilising the advice given Some evidence of increased awareness of how to achieve greater involvement in parenting – but work is greater barrier Most were coping well with fatherhood

Consult Research 27th April 2010 Findings – 3 month follow up Ltd access to mainstream services Willingness to attend but provision not available outside working hours Need for flexible support services Half had returned to HTGC as ‘new’ dad “I went back with my daughter because I found it very useful when I was at that stage so I wanted to give back to people what I found useful.”

Consult Research 27th April 2010 Findings – Session Facilitators Initial teething problems –Recruitment –Demands of the ‘day job’ –Links to maternity services –Flexibility Successful delivery of 15+ sessions Personal and professional benefits of session facilitation

Consult Research 27th April 2010 Evaluation Aims Programme Effectiveness: Do expectant fathers feel more confident and prepared for fatherhood after HTGC? Are expectant and new fathers satisfied with the support received from HTGC? Does HTGC increase fathers’ awareness of, and participation in, other mainstream children and family services?

Consult Research 27th April 2010 Delivering Hit the Ground Crawling Strategic Recommendations HTGC needs to be strategically embedded in local provision – part of the core offer to all expectant fathers Facilitators need time and support to fully commit to HTGC - multi-agency working Signposting opportunities need to exist HTGC provides great opportunity to gather views on developing father-inclusive services

Consult Research 27th April 2010 Delivering Hit the Ground Crawling Recommendations for Recruitment Consider incentives – parallel sessions for mothers; ‘bounty packs’ for fathers Widespread and considered ‘marketing’ ‘Snowball’ or peer recommendation Establish system for follow up contact Use session to signpost to other provision Targeted outreach work to reach out to harder to engage fathers

Final Thoughts… Evaluating HTGC: - Key Tips and Recommendations – Handout available Further Information: Claire Fraser Consult Research Consult Research 27th April 2010