This section brings together useful links to key documents, helpful websites, and recordings of previous webinars. It’s designed to give you quick access to practical guidance, further learning, and tools that support your work on this topic.
Dad Matters with Home‑Start: Strengthening Father Engagement in the First 1001 Days
This session will share what we’ve learned from rolling Dad Matters out through the Home-Start network: what has worked in embedding father-inclusive approaches within Family Hub models, where we’ve faced challenges, and how voluntary sector infrastructure can complement statutory services. Please join our Knowledge Hub to access accompanying slides Home - LGA National Centre for Family Hubs - Knowledge Hub
Who Let The Dads Out? - who are we and how can family hubs get involved?
Who Let The Dads Out? founded in Chester in 2003 by Mark Chester, is a network of 177 groups specifically for dads, father figures and their children and is now thought to be the largest network of dads groups in the UK.
Join Mark as he tells the story of how it all began, how it grew and how family hubs can get involved.
Engaging with Fathers and Male Caregivers in the Family Hubs with Professor Anna Tarrant
This webinar will cover:
- What you need to know about fathers – Understanding fathers' experiences, needs, and the barriers they face,
- What works in supporting fathers – Evidence-based approaches and practical strategies for meaningful engagement,
- The value of father-inclusive practice – How engaging fathers benefits children, families, and services.
Piece Report ‘What a difference a dad makes’
PIECE is a major study funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) (2021-23) that explores whether and how fathers’ involvement in childcare engagement activities - such as reading, playing and doing arts and crafts - affects their children’s cognitive development and educational attainment through primary school in England.
UoL PIECE Report A4 Jun 23 AW - ACCESSIBLE
UK Research
- Fatherhood Institute - The kids are alright:
Fatherhood Institute research exploring father-adolescent relationships and the impact of paternal involvement during the teenage years.https://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/post/the-kids-are-alright-adolescents-and-their-fathers-in-the-uk
- Following Young Fathers Further - University of Lincoln:
University of Lincoln longitudinal study tracking young fathers' experiences, challenges, and support needs over time. https://followingyoungfathersfurther.org/
- University of Lincoln - Centre for Innovation in Fatherhood and Family Research:
University of Lincoln research centre advancing knowledge on father involvement, family dynamics, and effective support services.https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/socialsciences/research/innovationinfatherhoodandfamilyresearch/
- National Literacy Trust - Fathers' Engagement in Young Children's Literacy 2024:
National Literacy Trust report examining how fathers engage with their children's reading and language development, with data on barriers and enablers.
- PLOS One - UK Millennium Cohort Study on Father Involvement:
PLOS One research analysing data from over 11,000 families to understand the relationship between father involvement and children's educational outcomes.
- UK Data Service - Which fathers are involved?:
UK Data Service case study identifying the conditions and characteristics associated with paternal involvement in childcare.
- BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth - Fathers' engagement in pregnancy: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth research exploring fathers' experiences during pregnancy and barriers to their involvement in antenatal care. https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2393-13-70
Family Hubs Resources
- Local Government Association - Implementation of Family Hubs: Local Government Association guide sharing practical strategies from local authorities implementing family hubs, including approaches to father engagement. https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/implementation-family-hubs-emerging-strategies-success
- LGA - Halton Father-Inclusive Practice Case Study:
How Halton Borough Council embedded father-inclusive approaches across their family hub services.
- LGA - Young Dads in North East Family Hubs:
Innovative work with young dads across Gateshead, Middlesbrough, County Durham, and Sunderland family hubs.
- LGA - Coventry City Council Case Study:
Coventry's whole-family approach, including strategies for engaging fathers in family hub services.
- Kent Safeguarding - Father Inclusive Guidance:
Comprehensive guidance on father-inclusive practice in safeguarding and early help, with practical tools and assessment frameworks.
- Action for Children - Family Hubs in England:
Overview of Action for Children's family hub delivery model and approach to engaging all family members, including fathers.
Advice and Support Groups
- Fatherhood Solutions - iPiP
Collaborative program supporting fathers through pregnancy, infancy and early childhood with evidence-based interventions and practitioner training. Fatherhood Solutions - iPiP
- Advice for Partners and Dads-to-Be - Barnardo's Family Space
Practical guidance and support for expectant fathers navigating pregnancy, birth, and the transition to fatherhood.
Who Let The Dads Out? is a national network of community groups that give fathers and father figures regular, welcoming spaces to spend quality time with their children. Launched in 2003 at Hoole Baptist Church in Chester, the model has grown to over 175 groups across the UK.