SPECIALIST TRAINING AND CONSULTANCY FOR IMPROVING ENGAGEMENT WITH FATHERS IN MEDWAY

1.1 Medway Council is one of 75 eligible Local Authorities taking part in the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme in England https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/family-hubs-and-start-for-life-programme 1.2 The Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme is currently running until the end of March 2025. The funding which has been provided as part of the programme must be utilised before this date. 1.3 There are specific requirements and timelines for delivering against aspects of the programme as set out in the Family Hubs and Start for Life framework and service expectations https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/family-hubs-and-start-for-life-programme-local-authority-guide. 1.4 The Programme Guide (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62f0ef83e90e07142da01845/Family_Hubs_and_Start_for_Life_programme_guide.pdf) sets out an expectation for local areas to improve engagement with and support for fathers and male co-parents. 1.5 It is recognised by local leaders (in perinatal and early years) that there are significant gaps in several key areas that affect engagement and participation in the local offer by fathers and male co-parents. These include a lack of: • Male peers in local peer support services. • Engagement training for perinatal and early years staff. • Targeted and appropriate messaging. • Male participation in antenatal classes. • Engagement with fathers in early years and home learning environments. • Training for system leaders to create a culture that is inclusive of fathers and male co-parents. • Engagement with fathers and male co-parents to support healthy infant feeding and breastfeeding. • Specific parenting programmes aimed at supporting fathers and male co-parents to transition to fatherhood and deal with adverse situations such as parenting post separation. • "Champions" within key services to ensure sustained focus on engagement and inclusion of fathers and male co-parents at all stages in the parenting journey. • Specialist consultation from fatherhood experts to improve Medway Councils comms work and Family Hubs and Strat for Life Offer.

1.6 In the area of Perinatal Mental Health and Parent Infant Relationships, research is due to begin to identify how provision can be improved for seldom heard voices and underserved communities. This will include fathers and male co-parents. 1.7 Some local services are actively working on engaging fathers but with limited success. 1.8 As part of the Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme, a Parent-Carer Panel has been set up to encourage co-design and co-production of services. However, at present there is no representation from fathers or male co-parents.