1. An Evaluation of the Fathers’ Development Work Programme

2. Aim “To evaluate the effectiveness, including the cost effectiveness, of the Fathers’ Development Worker interventions over the previous 2 year period”

3. Objectives Review service objectives Assess service delivery against objectives Evaluate outcomes of the service for users Assess children’s development outcomes Conduct a literature search Recommend future service developments

4. Other Objectives Sure Start Objectives: Improving Social & Emotional Development Improving Health Improve Learning Strengthening Families & Communities

5. Other Objectives Every Child Matters: Be Healthy Stay Safe Enjoy & Achieve Make a Positive Contribution Achieve Economic Well-being

6. Pinehurst & Penhill Two estates in north Swindon Population of 10,065 630 families 800 children aged 4 and under 40% single parent families 195 births a year 97% population is white

7. Fathers’ Development Work Programme Started in January 2003 Managed by NSPCC under SLA Development Worker to October 2004 Varied programme Fathers’ Time Saturdays for Dads One-to-one counselling sessions Activities – Legoland, BBQ Courses - assertiveness Sure Start groups – Ante-natal

8. Methodology Collation and analysis of reports produced by Development Worker One-to-one interviews with Sure Start and NSPCC staff Focus Group – 4 fathers Individual interviews – 11 fathers Review of cases notes from counselling sessions with 7 fathers Literature search of other Sure Start Fathers’ programmes

9. Who benefited? Families 40 fathers 70 children (+ expected babies) …and their partners and wives Sure Start criteria 30 fathers 55 children Other childcare professionals

10. Key outcomes - Fathers Increased involvement with children Improved parenting skills Understand children more Support partners & wives More confidence and self esteem Pride Practical help – e.g. ante natal class Importance of role of father in family Socialising / meeting new people

11. Outcomes – Fathers - continued Mutual support & benefit among fathers Emotional support from professionals Building trusting relationships e.g. with childcare professionals Opportunity to talk about problems & help others with problems More safety conscious More “Health aware”

12. Key Outcomes – Children Social interaction / new friends Quality time with fathers See fathers in a different light Sensory development Creative development Social and communication skills New activities Father involvement with care & development

13. Outcomes – Children - continued Reduce risk of abuse or neglect Safer environment Practical support with problems Share life experiences with fathers Physical development e.g. cycling Learning through play Provides children with routine

14. Key Outcomes – Mothers, Wives & Partners Peace & quiet / Quality time on own Sharing responsibility for childcare Help with housework Great family unity & coherence Benefit from activities organised by fathers Gain more confidence Learn new skills / new job as have time Improved relationships with partners

15. Key Outcomes – Childcare Professionals Changed attitudes Changed practices More “father aware”

16. Meeting the objectives Sure Start Objectives: Improving Social and Emotional Development  Improving Health  Improve Learning  Strengthening Families & Communities  Every Child Matters: Be Healthy  Stay Safe  Enjoy & Achieve  Make a Positive Contribution  Achieve Economic Well-being ?

17. Meeting the objectives Sure Start Pinehurst & Penhill SLA Establishment of a task or focus group  Production of a questionnaire ? Establishment of one new service for fathers and children  Increase in the involvement of fathers and fathers-to-be in Family Centre and Sure Start activities  Evaluation process for work with fathers ?

18. Cost Effectiveness Total programme: Total cost per father (40 fathers) - £1483 Average annual cost per father - £659 Total cost per child (74 children) - £801 Average annual cost per child - £356 Sure Start criteria: Cost per father contact 2004 - £111 Average annual cost per father - £879 Average annual cost per child - £475

19. Some Issues Barriers to fathers participating Perceptions of NSPCC Little for working fathers Lack of Development Worker since October 2004 has had negative impact Management and evaluation between Sure Start and NSPCC needs improving

20. Recommendations Need full-time Development Worker asap Sure Start & NSPCC need to review and agree parameters for programme Planning and evaluation needs to be reviewed More robust approach to strategic and operational management Consider targeting specific groups of men More work to be done on the cost- effectiveness of the programme

21. Conclusion The Fathers’ Development Work programme appears to have been successful in meeting its main objectives of improving the lives and life-chances of fathers and the children!