consult research 27th april 2010 supporting the transition to fatherhood: an evaluation of htgc in...

Consult Research 27th April 2010

Supporting the Transition to Fatherhood: An Evaluation of

HTGC in Staffordshire

Claire Fraser

Consult Researchw: www.consultresearch.co.uk

e: [email protected]

t: 01484 487986

http://www.consultresearch.co.uk/

mailto:[email protected]


Presentation Outline

• Evaluation Aims and Methodology• Participants• Findings from 3 sites across Staffordshire

– ‘Expectant’ fathers– ‘New’ fathers– Session Facilitators

• Recommendations for recruiting to and delivering HTGC


Evaluation Aims

Programme Effectiveness: • Do expectant fathers feel more confident and

prepared for fatherhood after HTGC? • Are expectant and new fathers satisfied with the

support received from HTGC? • Does HTGC increase fathers’ awareness of, and

participation in, other mainstream children and family services?


Evaluation Methodology

• Three stage evaluation for purposes of pilot– Pre (baseline) session; post-session; 3 mth follow-up

• Individual sessional evaluation questionnaires• Semi-structured telephone interviews with

‘expectant’ fathers (now fathers)• Non-participant observation by lead evaluator at

each site & co-facilitation of review days• In-depth interviews with facilitators, managers

and strategic leads


Evaluation Participants

• 15 sessions delivered (July 08 – Oct 09)• Total participating = 73 (EF) and 39 (NF)• Summary of data from 3 sites:• 42 expectant fathers completed pre and

post session questionnaires & 17 of these participated in 3 month follow-up interview

• 23 ‘new’ fathers completed pre and post session questionnaires


Baseline Data – Expectant Fathers

• Mostly White British (88%); aged 26-40 years (81%); working full-time (81%); living with their partner (95%) & (90.5%) first-time father

• Recruitment largely via antenatal professionals (60%), via female partner (24%) or friend (10%)

• Most were engaged with antenatal process & had actively sought information on fatherhood

• But low satisfaction levels with level of support available for expectant fathers and very few with any practical experience of hands-on baby care


Findings – Expectant Fathers

• What do they say about the sessions?– Provides unique support - not available elsewhere in

antenatal provision – a valued ‘dads-only’ space:

“You don’t have to be embarrassed about asking things that your partner may already know”

“Fantastic…I was much more open to learning

because it was presented from a male perspective”

“Some thinking outside the box at last - the 1st male

perspective discussion during the whole pregnancy”



• But female facilitators OK! – Facilitator gender not an issue for most:

“In fact it might help, might stop the male ego coming out where we all start talking about cars and football”

• Is parenting experience necessary?• Highly rated facilitators – ‘excellent’ or ‘good’• All would recommend HTGC to other expectant fathers• Evidence of increased likelihood of future engagement in

‘mainstream’ services



• Post-session scores reveal:– Increased confidence levels– Increased preparedness for fatherhood

• Understanding feelings about pregnancy• Learning how to improve the couple relationship

– Benefits of peer learning highlighted– Assumptions regarding mainstream parent

and child services challenged– But…other barriers still exist


Findings – New Fathers

• Reasons for participating• Very positive reactions from partners• Personal benefits of participation:“It has given me a real sense of achievement knowing I am

helping other dads get involved sooner and helping them

understand how hard it is for the mother”

“It made me feel good and confident and it is nice to let

expectant dads know that it is not as bad as they imagine”

“It is nice to help people & I definitely benefited from spending

some time with other dads”


Findings – 3 month follow up

• Telephone interviews – 17 new fathers• Further supporting evidence of positive

impact including utilising the advice given• Some evidence of increased awareness of

how to achieve greater involvement in parenting – but work is greater barrier

• Most were coping well with fatherhood


Findings – 3 month follow up

• Ltd access to mainstream services• Willingness to attend but provision not

available outside working hours• Need for flexible support services• Half had returned to HTGC as ‘new’ dad

“I went back with my daughter because I found it very useful

when I was at that stage so I wanted to give back to people what

I found useful.”


Findings – Session Facilitators

• Initial teething problems – Recruitment – Demands of the ‘day job’– Links to maternity services– Flexibility

• Successful delivery of 15+ sessions• Personal and professional benefits of

session facilitation


Evaluation Aims

Programme Effectiveness: • Do expectant fathers feel more confident and

prepared for fatherhood after HTGC? • Are expectant and new fathers satisfied with the

support received from HTGC? • Does HTGC increase fathers’ awareness of, and

participation in, other mainstream children and family services?


Delivering Hit the Ground Crawling Strategic Recommendations

• HTGC needs to be strategically embedded in local provision – part of the core offer to all expectant fathers

• Facilitators need time and support to fully commit to HTGC - multi-agency working

• Signposting opportunities need to exist• HTGC provides great opportunity to gather

views on developing father-inclusive services


Delivering Hit the Ground Crawling Recommendations for Recruitment

• Consider incentives – parallel sessions for mothers; ‘bounty packs’ for fathers

• Widespread and considered ‘marketing’• ‘Snowball’ or peer recommendation• Establish system for follow up contact• Use session to signpost to other provision• Targeted outreach work to reach out to

harder to engage fathers

Final Thoughts…

Evaluating HTGC:

- Key Tips and Recommendations – Handout available

Further Information:

www.consultresearch.co.uk

Claire Fraser

Consult Research

01484 487986

[email protected]


http://www.consultresearch.co.uk/

mailto:[email protected]

consult research 27th april 2010 supporting the transition to fatherhood: an evaluation of htgc in...

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