Health Business - Fathers given support and information on impending fatherhood

Fathers given support and information on impending fatherhood

Burntwood scheme gives access and support on pending births and what to expect.

Expectant fathers in Burntwood are being given support about birth and baby care.

The support is provided as a joint initiative between South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT), Staffordshire County Council and the Fatherhood Institute.

Called Hit the Ground Crawling, the group-mentoring method was set up by PCT health visitors and Burntwood Community and Learning Partnership. It allows health and social care workers the opportunity to give soon to be fathers the support they need to develop positive father-child relationships.

The scheme involves small groups of expectant fathers spending an afternoon or evening with two or three fathers who have recently had babies, with those babies present. Sessions are facilitated by staff who have undertaken training from the Fatherhood Institute and a core programme is delivered. Fathers also get an opportunity to see dads caring for their children.

The facilitator also identifies which expectant fathers could become future voluntary mentor fathers.

The scheme was first set up by Fatherhood Institute in America and has been adapted in the UK. It has been going in South Staffordshire for more than 10 months.

Health visitors and social workers in Burntwood have adapted the programme further by providing expectant mothers with an opportunity to get together as well as part of the traditional antenatal classes.

Deputy County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Ian Parry said: “Hit the Ground Crawling has been very popular with local dads and staff at the centre are proud to be able to support them in what can be an exciting but daunting journey into fatherhood.”

Further information:
Fatherhood Institute - Hit the Ground Crawling