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An Evaluation of the Fathers’ Development Work Programme

An Evaluation of the Fathers’ Development Work Programme. Aim. “To evaluate the effectiveness, including the cost effectiveness, of the Fathers’ Development Worker interventions over the previous 2 year period”. Objectives. Review service objectives Assess service delivery against objectives

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An Evaluation of the Fathers’ Development Work Programme

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  1. An Evaluation of the Fathers’ Development Work Programme

  2. Aim • “To evaluate the effectiveness, including the cost effectiveness, of the Fathers’ Development Worker interventions over the previous 2 year period”

  3. Objectives • Review service objectives • Assess service delivery against objectives • Evaluate outcomes of the service for users • Assess children’s development outcomes • Conduct a literature search • Recommend future service developments

  4. Other Objectives • Sure Start Objectives: • Improving Social & Emotional Development • Improving Health • Improve Learning • Strengthening Families & Communities

  5. Other Objectives • Every Child Matters: • Be Healthy • Stay Safe • Enjoy & Achieve • Make a Positive Contribution • Achieve Economic Well-being

  6. Pinehurst & Penhill • Two estates in north Swindon • Population of 10,065 • 630 families • 800 children aged 4 and under • 40% single parent families • 195 births a year • 97% population is white

  7. Fathers’ Development Work Programme • Started in January 2003 • Managed by NSPCC under SLA • Development Worker to October 2004 • Varied programme • Fathers’ Time • Saturdays for Dads • One-to-one counselling sessions • Activities – Legoland, BBQ • Courses - assertiveness • Sure Start groups – Ante-natal

  8. Methodology • Collation and analysis of reports produced by Development Worker • One-to-one interviews with Sure Start and NSPCC staff • Focus Group – 4 fathers • Individual interviews – 11 fathers • Review of cases notes from counselling sessions with 7 fathers • Literature search of other Sure Start Fathers’ programmes

  9. Who benefited? • Families • 40 fathers • 70 children (+ expected babies) • …and their partners and wives • Sure Start criteria • 30 fathers • 55 children • Other childcare professionals

  10. Key outcomes - Fathers • Increased involvement with children • Improved parenting skills • Understand children more • Support partners & wives • More confidence and self esteem • Pride • Practical help – e.g. ante natal class • Importance of role of father in family • Socialising / meeting new people

  11. Outcomes – Fathers - continued • Mutual support & benefit among fathers • Emotional support from professionals • Building trusting relationships e.g. with childcare professionals • Opportunity to talk about problems & help others with problems • More safety conscious • More “Health aware”

  12. Key Outcomes – Children • Social interaction / new friends • Quality time with fathers • See fathers in a different light • Sensory development • Creative development • Social and communication skills • New activities • Father involvement with care & development

  13. Outcomes – Children - continued • Reduce risk of abuse or neglect • Safer environment • Practical support with problems • Share life experiences with fathers • Physical development e.g. cycling • Learning through play • Provides children with routine

  14. Key Outcomes – Mothers, Wives & Partners • Peace & quiet / Quality time on own • Sharing responsibility for childcare • Help with housework • Great family unity & coherence • Benefit from activities organised by fathers • Gain more confidence • Learn new skills / new job as have time • Improved relationships with partners

  15. Key Outcomes – Childcare Professionals • Changed attitudes • Changed practices • More “father aware”

  16. Meeting the objectives • Sure Start Objectives: • Improving Social and Emotional Development  • Improving Health  • Improve Learning  • Strengthening Families & Communities  • Every Child Matters: • Be Healthy  • Stay Safe  • Enjoy & Achieve  • Make a Positive Contribution  • Achieve Economic Well-being ?

  17. Meeting the objectives • Sure Start Pinehurst & Penhill SLA • Establishment of a task or focus group  • Production of a questionnaire ? • Establishment of one new service for fathers and children  • Increase in the involvement of fathers and fathers-to-be in Family Centre and Sure Start activities  • Evaluation process for work with fathers ?

  18. Cost Effectiveness Total programme: • Total cost per father (40 fathers) - £1483 • Average annual cost per father - £659 • Total cost per child (74 children) - £801 • Average annual cost per child - £356 Sure Start criteria: • Cost per father contact 2004 - £111 • Average annual cost per father - £879 • Average annual cost per child - £475

  19. Some Issues • Barriers to fathers participating • Perceptions of NSPCC • Little for working fathers • Lack of Development Worker since October 2004 has had negative impact • Management and evaluation between Sure Start and NSPCC needs improving

  20. Recommendations • Need full-time Development Worker asap • Sure Start & NSPCC need to review and agree parameters for programme • Planning and evaluation needs to be reviewed • More robust approach to strategic and operational management • Consider targeting specific groups of men • More work to be done on the cost-effectiveness of the programme

  21. Conclusion • The Fathers’ Development Work programme appears to have been successful in meeting its main objectives of improving the lives and life-chances of fathers and the children!

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