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 Evaluate outcomes of the service for

users Assess children’s development

outcomes Conduct a literature search Recommend future service

developments

Other Objectives

Sure Start Objectives: Improving Social & Emotional

Development Improving Health Improve Learning Strengthening Families &

Communities

Other Objectives

Every Child Matters: Be Healthy Stay Safe Enjoy & Achieve Make a Positive Contribution Achieve Economic Well-being

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

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

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

Who benefited?

Families 40 fathers 70 children (+ expected babies) …and their partners and wives

Sure Start criteria 30 fathers 55 children

Other childcare professionals

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

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”

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

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

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

Key Outcomes – Childcare Professionals

Changed attitudes Changed practices More “father aware”

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 ?

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 ?

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

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

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

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!