The Child Health Promotion Programme Update (June 2008)

1. The Child Health Promotion Programme Update(June 2008) http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/uploads/publications/399.pdf

2. The Child Health Promotion Programme (Update, June 2008) • The CHPP Update is probably the most father-aware policy document ever published by government. Fathers are mentioned throughout. For example, the CHPP’s “new and major emphasis on parenting support” includes: • Supporting mothers and fathers to provide sensitive and attuned parenting, in particular during the first months and years of life. • Supporting strong couple relationships and stable positive relationships within families • Ensuring that contact with the family routinely involves and supports fathers, including non-resident fathers. • Supporting the transition to parenthood, especially for first-time mothers and fathers.

3. The Child Health Promotion Programme Update(June, 2008) – cont. The CHPP is to be “moved from . . .” “A focus mainly on mothers and children. . .” to “Working routinely with both mothers and fathers (whether they are living together or not)” There is to be increased focus on vulnerable children and families, including: “Families with a young mother or father” “Families where the parents are not co-resident”. [14-15]

4. The Child Health Promotion Programme Update(June, 2008) – cont. • An awareness of fathers’ influence permeates the document - e.g. • fathers’ smoking “has both a direct and an indirect impact on children, and is the most powerful influence on the mother’s smoking habit” • fathers, like mothers, have a “specific impact” on their children which must be “recognised” – and parents also have an important “combined influence” • “Core features of successful parenting programmes” are defined as including: • Involving fathers, ensuring that they are well informed and making them feel welcome • Monitoring the effectiveness of local services at engaging with and supporting fathers, including those in socially excluded groups • Recognising and addressing mental health problems in either parent

5. The Child Health Promotion Programme Update(June, 2008) – cont. • Specific strategies for good practice with fathers are clearly set out as part of mainstream engagement - e.g. • From the beginning, promote the father’s role as being important to his child’s outcomes. • Make it explicit that the CHPP is there for the whole family – including the father - and demonstrate this by providing suitable seating for him as well as for the mother, addressing him directly and encouraging him to speak and making it clear that you are listening. • Arrange meetings, services, groups and reviews to maximise the possibility of fathers attending. Stress the importance of their presence to both them and the mother.

6. The Child Health Promotion Programme Update(June, 2008) – cont. • Include positive images of fathers from different ethnic groups and of different ages in the literature that you produce and display. • Record fathers’ details – including those of non-resident fathers. • Include an assessment of the father’s needs as well as the mother’s • Include an assessment of the father’s health behaviours • Signpost fathers to all of the relevant services.

7. The Child Health Promotion Programme Update(June, 2008) – cont. • Make sure that fathers (as well as mothers) are in possession of information about, for example, the benefits of stopping smoking and strategies for doing so. • Where possible, provide fathers with this information directly (rather than second-hand, via the mother) and ensure that it also incorporates information on their role in relation to their child. • Offer antenatal preparation to fathers, including at times that will be convenient for working fathers (e.g. evenings).