‘…Father-child relationships – be they positive, negative or lacking
– have profound and wide ranging impacts on children that
last a lifetime, particularly for children from the most
disadvantaged backgrounds.’
(Every Child Matters, Department for Education and Skills, 2007)
Why Dads’ Space?
Improving access to parenting advice over 60% of fathers refer to the internet as their preferred channel
in locating information
At least one in three children will experience parental separation before the age of 16
Separated fathers often find the communication process with their children very difficult; our service provides support and ideas that can help generate meaningful
communication
Child Contact
A number of factors hamper paternal care post separation. E.g. the size and location of the fathers new
home; financial implications; lack of strong social support network
40% of fathers lose all child contact within two years of separation / divorce
Fathers taking a sidelined role often results in poor outcomes in all five key areas as set out in Every Child
Matters
Domestic Violence
Almost all fathers making an application for contact are granted contact by the court (MOJ, 2008)
Risks of further serious assaults do not cease post separation. The routes to safety study found that more than 50% women with post separation contact arrangements with an abusive partner
continued to experience serious, ongoing
problems with this contact.
One in Eight call outs to the metropolitan police in relation to domestic violence, are due to disputes
over child contact
www.dads-space.org
The Virtual Child Contact Centre
Dads’ Space 1-2-1 gives dads a way to stay in touch with their children following separation –
maintaining and enhancing their relationship
How it Works3 Levels of Contact
* Supported – Parents and children can email, play interactive games, chat on the messenger, upload photos, and exchange e-cards and e-gifts. Content is sampled and
post- moderated to ensure the service is being used appropriately.
* Supervised – Offering the same interaction as the supported level but with a limited messenger function. All communication at this level is moderated before it is
transmitted.
* Indirect – Parents and children can play games and exchange preset information (text, greetings and gifts).
Benefits to
Dads’ Space 1-2-1 is designed to help develop the father-child relationship in a safe and controlled way;
promoting only positive communication
Dads’ Space 1-2-1 aims to provide more autonomy to children over their contact arrangements, including children
who are looked after
Dads’ Space 1-2-1 aims to support contact between traditionally excluded fathers including: Young fathers;
Military; Prison; Diplomatic Core
Children
Referral Form
Speak to fatherPermission to share info
Speak with motherPermission to share info
Send to moderator
Contact mother
Contact father
Agency checks if necessary
Register family on to system
Indirect automatically granted
Risk Assessment Completed
Access level determined
3 monthly review of contact or earlier if risk identified
Feedback to referrer
Determine IT access
Referring to Dads’ Space
For Further Information Please Contact:
Lesley Weber or Maxine Green
Dads’ Space
0207 022 1854 / 1852
www.dcsf.gov.uk/parentknowhow
www.respect.uk.net www.atticmedia.com
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