Wiltshire Council show new parents 'Dads Matter Too'
The authority's set up a service to support some new fathers
Becoming a parent is one of the biggest milestones in a person's life, so Wiltshire Council is looking to do more to support new fathers.
They're launching a service called 'Dads Matter Too' aimed at men coping with the challenges that the first year of a baby's life brings.
It's for people who need additional support to deal with the pressures of parenthood, or where the little one might be the subject of a 'Child in Need' or Child Protection Plan.
'Dads Matter Too' will provide regular catch-ups with services like health visitors, midwifery teams and family key workers, alongside support from other organisations like Splitz and Turning Point in Wiltshire.
Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:
“So often the focus can be on the mothers and the demands of parenthood when the dad is finding it hard to cope as well. Fathers have an important role to play, and nurturing good relationships is essential.
“This programme will provide targeted, comprehensive support for those fathers who may already have a number of issues to cope with. The support is designed to address those factors, build on the good and help them enjoy their time as a parent. We want this initial programme to provide real learning, which in turn can be shared with others.”
The programme will be evaluated by The Institute of Public Care, Oxford Brookes University to measure the success of the programme and feedback to take it forward.
Katy Burch, Assistant Director of The Institute of Public Care said:
“This project represents an exciting opportunity to learn more about support for dads in early parenthood, not only for Wiltshire but for all the UK safeguarding and family support sector. It is a privilege for The Institute of Public Care to work alongside the project to gather and share the evidence.”