Background
In July 2007 the DCSF commissioned research into how DCSF policy can better recognise and support fathers. There is evidence that fathers can have an important role in achieving positive outcomes for children, but that they also face significant barriers to accessing some family services. The challenges involved in supporting fathers include that the role fathers play is not always understood, the culture in children's services is often feminised because most of the users and service providers are female, and the significance of fathers' roles is underestimated if they do not live with the family or use a particular service. Family services cater more effectively for mothers and the term parent has often been used synonymously with mother. Failure to engage with fathers is found across a range of family services. The father's involvement is an important factor in a child's achievement and adjustment and high levels of paternal involvement can be associated with high self-esteem, good relationships with peers, and lower criminality and substance abuse.
Methodology
The research aimed to look at: the extent to which policy from the DCSF and its partners focuses specifically on fathers; the influence DCSF policy has in LAs; how inclusive of fathers family services are and the steps taken to improve their engagement; barriers to fathers' involvement including policy barriers and how fathers can be supported through policy. The term father includes biological fathers, resident and non-resident, and other male carers such as step-fathers, adoptive or foster fathers and grandfathers. The researchers first conducted a review of policy relating to family services. An online survey was also sent to single parenting commissioners in all LAs. In-depth qualitative fieldwork was carried out with eight LAs. Interviews were carried out with senior managers and a mix of managers and practitioners in at least ten family services on the areas mentioned above.
Key findings
Key findings include the following.
- Explicit recognition of fathers in policy was partial and uneven. It was best in top-level policy documents and workforce and service delivery documents. Where fathers are recognised, the focus is on specific services for example Sure Start or teenage pregnancy services. Different types of father were seldom recognised.
- Father-inclusive practice was not felt to be routine in family services.
- LAs had taken a number of actions to support fathers; however, most local authorities did not have a strategic lead for supporting fathers. Where fathers were well supported it was often down to individual managers with an interest in this area.
- LAs reported high levels of policy awareness and this was a driver for developing father-inclusive practice and policy.
- Some staff do not see proactive support for fathers or their engagement as a priority.
- “Policy overload” makes it difficult for LAs to focus on engaging with fathers.
Recommendations
Recommendations include the following.
- The DCSF should produce a single document Every Father Matters drawing together the department's aspirations, examples of best practice and existing policies.
- Future policy documents should define clearly “parents” as both fathers and mothers and take into account their different needs.
- The DCSF should also encourage family services to engage with fathers through out-reach services, to identify and address the needs of young fathers, pro-actively communicate with non-resident fathers and monitor engagement of parents.
Availability
The full report is available from EMIE document number XR25834. The report is available from the DCSF website.
A review of how fathers can be better recognised and supported through DCSF policy
DCSF, Department for Children, Schools and Families, November 2008 |
