Engaging Fathers in Children Social Care Safeguarding Efficiency

Engaging Fathers in Children Social Care Safeguarding & Efficiency Dr Gavin Swann

Contents Fathers Excluded from Children Services The Benefits of Engaging Fathers Breaking Down Barriers What next? Can you really save millions and still keep children safe? A Call to Action

Fathers Excluded from Children Services Men perceived as worthless and or a threat A cyclical process exists where fathers’ gendered identity is polarised meaning fathers are poorly constructed and are ill-prepared for either partnerships or parenthood Defensive practice The profession has been blind to father involvement This blindness means abusive men are not held to account, whilst abused woman and children remain at risk, perpetuating the cycle of abuse

The Benefits of Engaging Fathers It is now recognised that, in most cases, child centred and sensitive care giving by both parents through complimentary parenting, (where parents agree role differentiation), contributes to a wide variety of positive child outcomes. ‘Involved fathers bring positive benefits to their children that no other person is as likely to bring’. father involvement undeniably influences psychological, behavioural, social and cognitive outcomes in children.

What next? Can you really save millions and still keep children safe? From a financial perspective, local authorities are missing opportunities for children to be placed with fathers or paternal extended families thereby saving millions of pounds a year in foster placement and residential costs. The Next Step – the Croydon Model

A Call to Action Father Inclusive strategy in all organisations (e. g. in Health – midwifery, Health Visiting, in Welfare, in Education Supporting fathers to become involved in their children’s lives will reduce pressure on services and systems

Questions Gavin. swann@croydon. gov. uk