This group is to help dads improve their relationship with their children and end controlling, abusive and neglectful behaviour.
What it is
- A 17-week course for fathers who want to improve how they parent their children. You will look at and change your abusive behaviours.
What it is not
- A perpetrator or parenting programme.
Information for Dads
- Do your behaviours towards your child's mother impact on your relationship with your child and how your child sees you?
- Do you sometimes feel so angry at your child that you feel like you do not know what to do?
- Are you concerned that your relationship with your child is not as close as you hoped it would be?
- Do you sometimes wonder how well you know your child?
- Are you sometimes concerned with the level of discipline you use with your child?
Caring Dads creates a place where men can feel safe, valued and respected. This will enable them to talk openly about their experiences in order to:
- change controlling, abusive and neglectful behaviours;
- and to improve their relationships with their children and family.
We will work with you to:
- change behaviours that are harmful;
- and to develop skills to improve your relationship with your children, children who live in your household and their mother.
You will be asked to complete tasks between the sessions at home with your children. These are to help you on your journey of change. They allow us to evaluate your progress and give extra support if you need it.
Caring Dads offers fathers the chance to make positive changes in their parenting. It should not be confused with anger management or domestic violence perpetrator programmes. Although, some of the topics covered are similar.
To be able to take part on this course, you must have a professional who works with you. For more about the course, please speak to them. You will need to have an assessment to see if the programme is right for you, before you can attend.
Information for Professionals
The emphasis is that Caring Dads places the motivation on the man to be a better father. Also, the programme is framed as child-centred parenting.
Many fathers are likely to benefit from taking part. Especially those whose relationships with the children, children who live in their household and their mothers is problematic. This may include:
- over-controlling, over-involved, distant and/or irresponsible emotionally abusive fathers;
- or fathers who have hostile, highly conflictual or abusive relationships with the children's mothers.
To be eligible for the programme
Men must have some regular supervised or unsupervised contact with at least one of their children (0-16 year old).
Dad's building relationships
As a lead into Caring Dads, we offer sessions to reflect on your behaviours, feelings and relationships. This is for eight weeks and can be one-to-ones or in groups.
Contact
If you want to know more about any of the above, please contact the Caring Dads Team:
- Phone: (01422) 394092.
- Email: caringdads@calderdale.gov.uk.