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4
Examples of PROMISING PRACTICE
young fathers work
Talking about young fathers work can appear abstract unless we shed
light on exactly what it involves. In our research it became clear that
there is little information detailing what young fathers work actually is. In
this section we present some
examples of the kinds of activities
organisations do in their work with
young fathers.
Service delivery
Young fathers work is wideranging
often involving a variety
of delivery methods including
one-to-one, group work, fixed-term
programmes, peer support, and more
mixed approaches that may combine
elements of each. The specific activities
that constitute young fathers work
depends on a number of factors such
as the specific aims and focus of the
work, funding stipulations, the needs
and diversity of young fathers, and the
method or style of service delivery
adopted.
One-to-one work
A number of practitioners we spoke to
used one-to-one approaches with
young fathers. This would sometimes
include building on the skills and
strengths of the young men through
conversation and dialogue before
moving on to other methods of service
delivery e.g. informal group sessions
and peer support. For example, the
Specialist Learning Mentor for
Teenage Fatherhood located within the
Health Initiatives Teem at Education
Leeds, initially works with school-age
fathers on a one-to-one basis, before
moving to involvement in a weekly
group session once presenting
problems have been dealt with. In
other cases one-to-one work is the
main basis of service delivery. For
example, the TPSS in Hull, and Fathers
First in the Isle of Wight use
exclusively individual approaches with
the young fathers they work with.
One-to-one support often involves
working with presenting issues
identified by the young father as their
most pressing concerns. It is therefore
normally led by the agendas of the
young men and may involve visiting
them in their homes, meeting on
‘neutral’ ground or meeting in
specifically designated locations (e.g.
project offices). Individual needs are
established and work involves helping
the young father to achieve their
separate objectives. Practical advice
relating to housing, benefits,
education, employment, and legal
issues may be offered initially before
leading to more emotional support and
fatherhood work. See In Focus (next
page) for some examples of one-to-one
work.
‘He (the project
worker) keeps
in touch between
appointments to
see how I am
doing, that’s just
good service.
It’s nice to be
thought of.’
Young father, London
Supporting Young Fathers 29