Engaging with Fathers: Practice Issues for Health and Social Care

Fathers are often marginalised or ignored in child protection practice. This reflects an uncertainty within society as a whole about the role of fathers in their children's lives. Engaging with Fathers is a guide for social workers and health visitors on how to broaden their practice to include fathers and stepfathers, whether or not their behaviour is abusive or problematic. The authors' approach is based on theoretical analysis and explores attachment theory, feminism, anti-discriminatory practice and nursing ideology as they have influenced social work. From this they provide suggestions on how to assess the potential risks and the potential assets fathers may offer, and positive examples of what can be done in child care and health visiting, drawn from real practice. They set out a theoretical framework that takes account of the reality of the situations practitioners face, draw up a model for intervention, and demonstrate the implications for practice. Engaging with Fathers is written for the busy professional and avoids jargon. Each chapter contains summaries of the main points, examples of research, exercises, key issues to consider and suggestions for further reading. While developing practice with fathers, it remains firmly focused on what is best for children.

Brigid Daniel is Professor of Social Work at the University of Stirling. She is the co-author of a number of books on child care and protection and has a particular interest in factors that help children to cope with adversity. She was a member of the multi-disciplinary team that carried out a national ministerial review of child protection practice in Scotland.