1. Engaging Positively with Fathers Dr Katrina Allen, Policy Officer Children in Scotland Project: ‘Making the Gender Equality Duty Real for Children, Young People and their Fathers’ National Early Years Conference Edinburgh 5th September 2010

2. IntroductionIntroduction Children in Scotland interest in gender equality issues Making the GED Real project focus Key issues will consider today: - Why engage with fathers? - Challenges - How to engage with fathers

3. Children in Scotland gender equality lens Positive parenting support Maximising opportunities / life chances Safeguarding Physical, emotional development Education, skills Career paths Preparation for parenting/caring Safeguarding Recognising influence fathers + engagement with fathers Valuing caring roles

4. ‘Making the GED Real’ project ‘Making the GED Real for Children, Young People and their Fathers’ is a 3 year project, funded by the Scottish Government Equality Unit (2008-2011) Broad project objectives: Monitor and report on the implementation of the GED in Scotland Identify & share good practice examples

5. Gender Equality jigsaw How do we achieve equality? Equal Pay for equal work! End occupational segregation! Tackle gender- based violence! Value and support both men and women as carers Value and support both women and men in every workplace & political arena

6. Project focus Challenging: Gender stereotyping – particularly associated with caring rolesPromoting: Opportunities & support for fathers to engage in positive parenting

7. ‘Fathers’ definition Term ‘father(s)’ includes: biological and ‘de facto’ fathers/male carers (e.g. stepdads, foster fathers, non- resident fathers and grandfathers)

8. Why engage with fathers? Changing social context Benefits to children, mothers & fathers themselves Public health / social long term benefits Policy focus, new ways of working

9. Changing social context Men want to be more actively involved in childbirth as well as children’s care & development Increasingly fathers expected to fulfill caring roles and mothers to develop careers Emphasis on work-life balance and shift towards cooperative ‘shared parenting’ ideal + paternity/parental leave Families increasingly diverse and dynamic

10. Benefits children, mothers & fathers Source of support to mothers - labour & childbirth - breastfeeding - childcare - emotional Health influences - postnatal depression - smoking - alcohol / substance misuse - managing risk, caring skills

11. Benefits children, mothers & fathers Outcomes for children associated with good parenting by fathers (resident or non-res.): - better mental health - relationships higher quality - less criminality - better school attendance and behaviour - better exam results Benefits to children of experiencing men in caring roles – impacts: - developing behaviour and life choices - attitudes and expectations as future parents

12. Public health / social benefits: prevention Timely support, pre-empt mental and physical health problems – reduce need for intervention later on Making health services generally more accessible to men Safeguarding responsibilities in collaboration with other agencies Supporting new parents to develop good parenting skills – intergenerational benefits Supporting effective shared/co-parenting and helping to reduce potential for conflict

13. Policy – new ways of working Maternity care still mother focused but increasingly family-centred – preparation for transition to parenthood Parents as active partners with professionals – starting before birth. Parental role fundamental to creating nurturing environment in early years Multi-agency working – more efficient and effective. Antenatal/postnatal services key role in early identification of needs and risk

14. Challenges of engaging with fathers Services need to adapt – changing roles, assumptions and priorities Including non-resident fathers Dealing with difficult and violent fathers Limited resources

15. Services focus Historical legacy of focus on mother and baby health / mother as main carer Fathers – especially non-resident – can be viewed mainly as a risk Young fathers often experience negativity, even when they are positive Lack of ‘buy-in’ to gender equality agenda Competing priorities

16. ResourcesResources Lack of time & capacity Financial cost But… Opportunity costs? High cost intervention later on?

17. How to engage with fathers Birth environment welcoming Father-inclusive information provided Preparation for parenting focus – including practical skills, emotional well-being, men’s perspectives (not just physical health) Availability individual support where required (not just groups) Targeted information for specific groups where need identified (e.g. young fathers)

18. Research findings CiS Scotland survey– small-scale, isolated attempts to engage fathers, no joined-up strategy National Childbirth Trust & Fathers Direct UK survey: ‘Becoming a father’: - new dads often feel ill-informed and unsupported despite wanting to be involved - recommended overnight stays in hospital after birth, better info., leaflets and posters aimed at men, flexibility to include fathers outside of normal working hours

19. Research findings Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow & Children 1 st ‘Young Fathers Study’ – Glasgow, Clyde and Forth Valley: - lack of material written specifically for fathers (how to support partner, what to expect) - being present at the birth a positive experience and fatherhood viewed as a positive life event - fear of involvement due to lack of skills/confidence should not be mistaken for lack of desire to be involved - looking for more support – emotional as well as practical (medical focus not meeting needs)

20. West Lothian ‘Dads2b’ example Scotland’s 1 st antenatal course for men – partnership NHS Lothian (parent education services) & West Lothian Council Sure Start Aim: to increase fathers’ confidence in supporting partner through birth, caring for baby; and exploring mental health & wellbeing issues Now expanded services, including young dads2b (under 21s), working dads Topics include: labour & birth, postnatal depression, coping with a crying baby and baby care. Inputs from midwife, early years development worker and visiting dads “I feel ready to take on the challenge, without the course I would feel very apprehensive”

21. Outcomes to aim for New fathers bond early with their babies, engage positively and take responsibility for their wellbeing Fathers provide positive support to mothers Fathers feel supported by services and comfortable interacting with staff Multi-agency working is improved for vulnerable children and families Inclusion of fathers is embedded in mainstream service delivery

22. Contact: Kat Allen, Policy Officer, Children in Scotland Email: kallen@childreninscotland.org.uk Tel: 0131 222 2440 http://makinggenderequalityreal.org.uk Thank you!