Drop-in centres, discussion groups and courses on parenting skills have succeeded in encouraging more fathers to take part in local Sure Start programmes.
According to a report for the Sure Start Unit, participation by fathers in Sure Start local programmes is generally low. However, strategies that have offered a range of tailored services for fathers, or for fathers and children together, and made them available at evenings and weekends, have led to greater involvement.
Research carried out between February 2002 and March 2003 examined the extent to which men had been encouraged to take part in 25 out of the 128 programmes rolled out in the first two rounds that had been running for around a year.
The report, Fathers in Sure Start, found that the fathers most likely to use Sure Start locally were 'those who needed it most - that is lone fathers and those who were the main carers'. They were also most likely to get involved in 'outdoor, active fun-type activities' and were more interested in doing things with older children.
The report said, 'Most fathers felt welcome at Sure Start services, despite initial anxieties about attending. Fathers continued to come when they had seen a positive benefit for themselves and their children.'
More than half of the 128 programmes employed a dedicated fathers' worker, whose role included running fathers' groups and drop-in centres offering support in basic skills, job-seeking and parenting advice. Issues such as loss and bereavement, concerns about child development, anger management, feelings of isolation and postnatal depression have also been covered.
The report found that programmes that had fathers' workers gained a higher level of involvement.
It also noted that programmes encouraged fathers to volunteer and provided access to training that could lead to employment with Sure Start. By mid-2003, 24 of the 128 local Sure Start programme managers were men.
The report said that despite 'mixed views' about fathers using Sure Start services, 'on the whole, mothers agreed that both children and fathers themselves would benefit, and that more male workers would be good for Sure Start local programmes'.
Jack O'Sullivan, co-founder of Fathers Direct, the national information centre on fatherhood, described Sure Start local programmes as 'the most innovative in the family field'. He said, 'I think Sure Start has worked very effectively in some areas which are de-industrialised and it has given a real role for men in caring for their children.'
Mr O'Sullivan cited as particular success stories projects such as the Sure Start programme in Swansea that offers a 'buddy scheme' for ex-offenders, and one in Barrow-in-Furness that runs courses in parenting and gives support to lone fathers. He said, 'What we need is to see that best practice rolled out across the network.'
By next March it is intended there will be 524 Sure Start local programmes in England.
The report is on the website www.surestart.gov.uk.