Father-Inclusive Practice OMG
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What is father-inclusive practice?
This recognises, promotes and actively listens to and engages with fathers and father figures (not biological fathers) to support better outcomes for their children/young people. It is about promoting a father inclusive culture and actively contributing to it through our every-day interactions with families.
How does it work?
By engaging with father and father figures, and wider paternal family we are fully recognising and better understanding the child's lived experience. This can also support whole family practice in drawing on the knowledge, skills and commitments that fathers and father figures critically can provide their children, supporting their development. See also Family Networking
What are the principles?
Actively engaging with father/father figures can foster trust and respect for all aspects of parenting and can encourage stronger participation and involvement in their child's life including supporting their education and learning. Inclusive practice with fathers should never mean creating more risk to the child or the mother.
What are the benefits?
Fathers/father figures, like mothers can bring both risk and resource to the lived experience of the child enriching their lives and social interactions. They can also enhance and increase the natural support network around the child/young person creating enabling the child to develop resilience and a stronger sense of self.
How can schools and settings support?
Ensure that accurate contact details of fathers/father figures are gained for staff in the school/setting to use. Helps maintain good communications with both parents.
Encouraging and promoting father/father figure participation in parent/child school activities and enabling them to take part on parent/teacher consultations.
All communication about learning to be sent to the father/father figure so they can play an active part and contribute to their child's learning and development.
How can families support?
All professionals to always actively seek and gain contact information for all father/father figures from the start of their involvement with the family.
Families to request communication separately, where co-parenting/separation exists so both parents can remain actively involved with professionals.
What further information is available nationally?
What information or support do we have in Norfolk?
A useful tool for families and professionals to use including fathers/father figures:
Father inclusive practice learning modules | NSCP
Good practice guide for working with fathers pdf
Resources · How's Your Father?
Key contacts and how to request support
- Speak with your School and Community Team Manager or Early Help Consultant
- Contact the SEND and Inclusion Line on 0333 313 7165
- Contact via: Family Hubs - Norfolk County Council
- Raise the topic at your Team Around the School (TAS) meeting to discuss suitability and next steps
