Dads Work – Neighbourhood Service, Aberdeen City
Summary Details
Dads Work is a project in Aberdeen which was set up 4 years ago to help fathers and in particular, those with chaotic lives.
It aims to promote education in parenting and provide a range of supportive experiences and skills for men with parental responsibilities.
Target Group
Among those targeted are dads who are ex-offenders and those who are, or have been, habitual drug users. Also lone fathers or those who have joint custody or supervised access to their children.
Approach
The group aims to help these dads to take a more active role in the community and as parents. It is assumed that drug users will work towards a drug-free life. Expectant dads’ first contact with the project is through an antenatal class. They have the opportunity to engage in other group activities such as cooking and outings after their baby is born.
The Dads’ Work programme aims to: build confidence; develop parenting skills; enhance the quality of care dads offer their children; and help the men attending into education or employment if this is required.
One of the founding principles is that there is an interdependent link between a healthy mind and body so activities include trips to the gym, art galleries and cooking classes.
The cookery class meets one morning per week and can accommodate 12 dads. While the dads learn cooking skills and new recipes the children play in the crèche before everyone joins together to eat the dishes prepared. The group is funded via NHS healthy eating initiatives. The project is also supported by a worker from the National Childbirth Trust (NCT).
There is also a parenting group held one morning per week with a crèche for the children. The focus of this group tends to be on current issues and experiences rather than on pre-arranged topics. However, it covers bits of ‘positive parenting’ and ‘mellow dads’ programmes. The support worker leads a small part of the session and the dads are supported to lead the rest. Areas covered include: child development, parenting skills, confidence building and life skills. The session includes a sit-down lunch with the children.
Initially, this parenting group was more structured, following an 8 week ‘I’m a parent – get me out of here’ course (using the Doncaster model). Workers found that even good programmes such as this could be ‘a bit patronising’ and limiting for users. They opted instead to allow the groups a high level of freedom in how they develop. The sessions tend to be very intense and having a sense of belonging is important. The group is a good resource for fathers with children of different ages.
Social work students from Aberdeen College have joined the parenting group for work experience.
There is also a weekly badminton group and every fourth week there is an activity based around physical health, such as football.
Outcomes
Many of the dads initially lack confidence and self-esteem. Various methods are used to improve this and help them to take an active role in their communities. For example, group members learn facilitation skills through practice. The direction of work is guided by the men’s needs.
Using an activity-based session like cooking has enabled workers to quickly build relationships with those attending. They find that the men are more able to discuss difficult topics when taking part in an activity within this informal setting.
Cooking is a good way to learn about healthy eating and the importance of preparing nutritious meals for their families. Many of the men attending the groups have gone on to take a more active, positive role in the care of their children. Evidence of this can be found in the decisions and planning found within Child Protection Case Conferences, Looked After Children Reviews and Family Centre Reviews.
There is also evidence that those attending make an easier transition into the workplace or education.
Strengths
The programme uses a strong combination of practical skills development and activities, alongside the exploration of personal issues and experiences. Groups are focused on completing tasks, which helps to overcome users’ initial resistance to education and working with agencies.
Workers are very proactive in engaging with men and building relationships of trust, both with individuals (eg through home visits, help with transport) and within groups (eg enforcing confidentiality).
The programme’s focus on building confidence and transferable skills is empowering and has helped men in very difficult situations to turn their lives around.
User Feedback
“This project has saved some people’s lives”.
“I’ve learned to share emotions. Blokes don’t usually do this”.
“Need to be given a reason to go to the group but once you’re there you’ll find plenty of reasons to go”
Further Details
Ron Bird
Senior Support Worker
Neighbourhood Services Central
3rd Floor Linksfield Campus
520 King Street
ABERDEEN
AB24 5SS
Telephone: 01224 497199
RONBIRD@aberdeencity.gov.uk
14 May 2010
