Children North East

Established 1891

Fathers Plus Service

Established 1997

Provides training and specialist support to organisations

Influences key local and national policies.

Works directly with fathers and family men

What Fathers Plus isn't

• Not about father's rights.

• Not anti mother/women/female carer

• Not just about biological dads

Why work with family men in Museums and Galleries?

Dads Matter to their children Research into fathers’ involvement in their

children’s learning conducted by DCSF In 2006 found that when dads and male carers are involved in their child's learning from birth, the child is more likely to:

•      Do better at school – better behaviour, attendance and attainment

•      Become more competent•      Be more empathic•      Be more self-confident•      Be less stereotyped in their gender roles. •      Build better relationships in later life•      Have better mental health

Rebecca Goldman, DCSF 2006 ‘Involving Fathers in Their Children’s Learning.’

"A Father-Child relationship has a profound and wide ranging impact on children that lasts a lifetime.“

Sarah Teather MPMinister of State for Children and Families

Why Dads only?Always use the F word!

Research shows dads hear ‘Parent’ as ‘mother’

for example ‘Parent and toddler sessions’

• Dads will attend if they think they wont be the only man in the room

• Safe environment (goldfish bowl)• Build’s confidence• Provides social opportunities with other

men• Male orientated activities are a hook• Quality dad and child time• Gives dads the agenda• More likely to engage fully

It’s the way like dads are treated – you know what I mean, like they’re an outsider – everything’s for mams isn’t it – you know there’s nowt for fathers… everything’s female.” Dad talking about parent and child activities

It’s what we needed; some quality time, just me and him – I don’t mean the mothers in the way – it’s been great for me and it has been for the littl’un as well. It shows that I want to be with him, that I care and that when

things are fun and exciting that I’m there to share it with him... It’s just for the father and child to bond properly”. 

“It has given me different ways of looking at things… I wouldn’t say I was a bad dad, but I have not taken as much notice as I have this last year… this has given me an extra boost. [It’s] spending quality time with them - normally I don’t have that quality time”.

Why Museums and galleries work for dads

•Neutral décor – not feminine

•Free of female bias (exhibitions, staffing,activities)

•Free of institutional overtones

•Learn by doing – hands on

•Open spaces

•They can do their own thing

•Act as a safe passage into other •services – a recruitment tool for agencies such as Children’s Centres, Parenting Teams

•Fun!

Our Journey Together

2004 Worker Consultation Trips2004 Dads and Kids Trips2005 Dads Projects (Beamish/SMWG)2005 Family Man Exhibition2005 Celebration of Fatherhood Event (4,000 visitors)2006 Family Man Exhibition on tour2007 Development of Family Man website2007 Celebration of Fatherhood Event (8,000 visitors)2008 Family Man Schools outreach pilot 2009 Commissioning – Sunderland Parenting Team2010 DLI Museum Dads Club 9 month programme of events 2010 Family man grows – Sunderland and Gateshead FACL commissions2011 Family man continues – now over 60 schools since 20082011 Go with Dad is launched as a family learning course in Durham2011 News reaches Westminster! Andy Burnham MP Shadow Secretary for

Education attends a Family Man Day and is extremely impressed! 2012 Watch this space – Join projects, Joint bids, more commissioning.

Change of government

Adapting to changing timesHaving a product to sell (sell, sell!)

The Family Man product is now self sustaining

Who has commissioned the Family Man programme?

• Sunderland Parenting Commissioner• Sunderland Extended Schools• Sunderland Family, Adult and Community

Learning• Gateshead Family Learning• Individual schools across North East

• Earning the project over £30,000 in 2 years - covering running costs and future development working in over 40 schools

• Working in this way helps commissioning organisations to meet their statutory requirements in engaging men. (Sunderland Parenting Team recorded a increase of male accessing parenting provision across the City from 6% to 57% as they used the sessions as hooks to enrolment)

“We were absolutely delighted with the reaction we received from our

male family members. It’s extremely important that we are

able to build and maintain positive relationships with all our families – ‘Family Man through the Ages’ has

allowed us to target male carers through an interactive, hands-on

learning experience. “

Ruth Firth, Deputy Headteacher, Diamond Hall Infant School

Who we engaged in Sunderland

Of these biological fathers almost 50% were non resident.

The programme targets dads who don’t live in the family home by

setting the child the task of taking the invitation direct to

their dads.

The is usually the first contact they

have with the school

I loved spending time with my dad and eating lunch together and I love him so much and

that’s it! I love my dad VERY MUCH!”

I was excited... I thought my dad wasn’t coming but he did. I want him to come

every day!”

“We learnt more about the Romans, more than we learnt

in lessons”

“It was a great experience because we usually just have

Mams coming in”

I think it was ‘classic!”

News of Family Man travels to Westminster

Andy Burnham MP Shadow Secretary of State for Education

Grange Park Primary in Sunderland

Courtesy of Northern Echo 2011

“Things like this, getting dads into schools does make a real difference to the kids. It gets dads more involved in their children’s education and learning, and I think it’s a very positive thing.”

Training for Museum Professionals

2nd December 201110am –1pm Segedunum

The training will focus on:

Enhancing your family event programmes to include fathers

Developing partnership work with local dads groups and organisations

Identifying barriers to male inclusion in your venue

How to get fathers and family men though the door and how to keep them

Developing team father/male involvement plan.

Book your place through Claudia Knott

Charlotte Dack

Children North East: Fathers Plus

www.fathersplus.org

0845 1307225