ENGAGING WITH FATHERS Tom Carroll and Neil Sutherland

Edinburgh Lone Fathers’ Project Partnership between the voluntary and statutory sectors with funding from Sure Start works with lone and contact fathers activities/outings on Saturday mornings with fathers and their children assistance with benefits, legal rights, housing issues Project worker can act as an advocate on behalf of the father, also assist with filling in forms (Community Care Grants etc) Can help in assisting fathers seek further education, training with a view to employment

Why Do Dads Feel Left Out? Many agencies are more accustomed to dealing with mum rather than dad Fathers are unsure of their rights Media portrayal ( absent, not interested, not capable) Not knowing where to look for help Feelings of being unsupported during the legal process and frustrated after it Feelings that they were not listened to/their point of view disregarded Perception that dads are less able than mothers New relationships Uncomfortable about using family centres

How We Have Engaged With Fathers Fathers are more at ease in their own home environment They can use the service in an advocacy capacity (fathers who are not confident enough to deal with certain agencies on their own) Move at their pace They can use the service as a way of socialising One to one and peer support Non judgemental Activity based parenting activities It’s geared around them

Pause For Thought The feedback I receive from dads is that they are still having to prove that they are capable and they can be the main carer of their children. Dads do, and can care. As one dad said when I asked him “What does being a dad mean to you?” His reply “Being responsible for my actions and their effect on my daughter, to help my daughter become the best she can be”.