Father Inclusive Policy and Practice Homepage

Welcome to the Father Inclusive Policy and Practice Homepage. The aim of this page is to promote the importance of Father Inclusive Practice across all Family and Relationship Services. While much has been achieved in this area there is still much more work to be done. The information and links below provide the backbone for developing good policy and practice in working with fathers.

Why Father Inclusive Practice?

• Involving fathers in program provision is essential if the best outcomes for children are to be achieved. 

• Increased attention on efforts to foster and support father-child relationships will improve Program outcomes

• Prenatal and early parenting educational materials focusing on father-child relationships are important sources of information for parents.

• Interventions that promote physical contact or help fathers learn to understand their babies’ cues are likely to promote father-child attachment.

• Interventions that promote and support sensitive father-child play will most likely enhance or protect father-child attachment.
• For more information, click here.

Who are we ?

The Father Inclusive Practice page is being hosted by the FRSA to promote the efforts of organizations around Australia to include fathers in family-related services for the benefit of children and families. For more information contact Randal Newton-John

Father Inclusive Practice National Logos

Organisations and programs working with dads across Australia are encouraged to the Father Inclusive Practice logos and messages as part of their everyday practice.

The 2011 Men and Family Relationships Forum at Perth has released a series of freely available logos for programs to use; that promote the father-child connection and its value for children, men and women. These logos feature either an image of two hand-prints or a father holding his child in the air. The two messages are:

• ‘Dads and their children – benefit from time together’

• ‘Men at their best help children flourish’

Programs are encouraged to use these logos on:

• Promotional materials to men and families in their community about programs/services

• Reports to Managers within own and other organisations

• Reports to Government and other funders

• Conference presentations

• At the bottom of email signatures

The use of these logos develops national links with other organisations and programs that have a similar focus. It reinforces the messages that research has taught community service and counselling practice.

Links/Resources

• The Australian Fatherhood Research Network aims to promote high-quality collaborative research into fatherhood and fathering in Australia. Click here.

• The comprehensive Father Inclusive Practice Guide is available free from the Australian Government FaHCSIA website. Click here.
• First Report of talking to dads about bonding project. Click here.

• The Fathers and Families Research Program at the Family Action Centre, the University of Newcastle, NSW includes resources and downloads on father inclusive practice. Click here.

•  ‘The Dad Factor - How father baby-bonding helps a child for life’ by Richard Fletcher, click here.

• Gender Indicators, Australia, Jul 2011. Click here.