Improving Outcomes in the Economic Downturn: Free Support for Children and Young People

Improving Outcomes in the Economic Downturn: Free Support for Children and Young People

In the current economic climate many local authorities and partner organisations are facing significant challenges in meeting increases in demand for services. With resources already stretched it is vital that all staff including strategic planners, policy makers, practitioners and volunteers are made aware of a significant, valuable resource that is available free of charge and has been proven to help improve outcomes for Children and Young People.

In many areas this resource remains largely untapped and underutilised. Often services that are tasked with improving the lives of children and young people are unaware that this resource is available or they lack the skills and know how that will enable them to tap into it. Many organisations are structured in such a way as to inadvertently exclude this resource.

Of course I am talking about fathers and male carers and the important role that men play in nurturing children and young people. Where fathers and male carers are positively engaged in their lives, children tend to be healthier and happier and they grow up to achieve more and form better relationships in later life. Right across family and children's services men have a lot offer. Whether it is in supporting breastfeeding, prevention of domestic violence, helping children's learning, prevention of teenage pregnancy or keeping young people out of the criminal justice system, fathers and male carers make a significant difference.

A lot of support is available now for organisation to ensure that their policies and strategies do not unwittingly exclude fathers and men from their systems and that their workforce has the skills and the confidence to work with men. There are also stunning example across the country of services that have gone the extra mile to ensure that fathers are included with positive results for the children and the wider communities involved.

Are you making the most of the father/male carer resource in your area? Do you know of local services that have gone that extra mile? What was the result?