Hackney is taking a system-wide approach to becoming a Father Friendly Borough, embedding father inclusion across Children and Family Hubs rather than treating it as a specialist add-on. The Needs Assessment provided a clear mandate: if we want better outcomes for children and families, fathers must be actively welcomed, engaged and supported.
Overview
When my son was born, everyone asked how his mum was doing. No one asked how I was coping. I didn’t think I was allowed to struggle, so I just stayed quiet.”
That single sentence, shared by a Hackney father during the borough’s Perinatal Mental Health and Parent–Infant Relationship (PMH & PIR) Needs Assessment, captures what approximately 1,000 fathers told us. Fathers want to be involved, supportive and present, but too often feel invisible in services promoted for families, in practice designed around the needs of mothers and children by default.
In response, Hackney is taking a system-wide approach to becoming a Father Friendly Borough, embedding father inclusion across Children and Family Hubs rather than treating it as a specialist add-on. The Needs Assessment provided a clear mandate: if we want better outcomes for children and families, fathers must be actively welcomed, engaged and supported.
Hackney’s response includes a newly developed Father Friendly Charter, which sets clear expectations for how services engage fathers from first contact through to safeguarding and data collection. Alongside this, a Tiered Peer Support Model enables fathers with lived experience to contribute safely and meaningfully to service design, engagement and delivery.
For many fathers, the impact is tangible. One dad told us,
The first time someone said, you matter here too, it changed everything. I started showing up more, not just for my child, but for myself.”
This work is already driving change. Services are redesigning environments, communications and appointment systems to include fathers, while peer-led approaches such as Fathers Circles are building trust with men who are least likely to engage with statutory services.
Hackney’s experience shows that father inclusion is not symbolic. It is a practical, evidence-led approach that strengthens early help, improves paternal mental health, and supports healthier relationships for children from the very start.
Aaron Charles - Father Friendly Borough Project Manager for Best Start Family Hubs
Watch a reel about one of our Father’s Circles here
Find out more about Hackney’s offer for fathers here
