If you work with fathers then you might be interested in a course that Working With Men has developed.

This course has been designed for expectant fathers. The sessions are be an opportunity for men to reflect on the changes they will be going through and looking at the impact that a baby will have on their lives. The sessions are skills and discussion based, encouraging personal experience with demonstrations and exercises used to provoke reactions.

Session One – Practical Skills – learning how to hold, feed, bath, change and bond with baby.

Session Two – Why fathers are important and what kind of father do you want to be? – To ensure expectant fathers understand why they are important and provide them with an opportunity to reflect on the kind of father they want to be.

Session Three – Impact on relationships – To ensure that expectant fathers understand the changes that will occur in their relationships with their partner, work and friends.

Session Four – Horror stories and issues raised by the expectant fathers – to help fathers be more prepared for labour and the birth. Also to answer any questions the expectant fathers may have.

For the fathers a follow up session will be held when all of the fathers babies are at least six weeks old, when they have had some experience of being fathers, and the question and answer theme continued as well as this session being used to evaluate the programme.

Why is this course needed?

Charlie Lewis and Jo Warin detail the importance of an involved father in a child’s life, from ‘What Good Are Dads? Lewis & Warin

• Babies and children become attached to those people that show them warmth and kindness whether they are male or female. The closer fathers are with their babies, usually the better relationship, whatever happens later, family break up etc.
• Nine out of ten fathers attend the birth of their children and a similar number say that fathering is the most important part of their lives.
• The more fathers are involved with their children, from day one, the better their children do socially and educationally. If fathers do not engage with their children they are more likely to become a negative influence and hinder their children’s social and educational development.
• Fathers earn two thirds of family incomes, helping to keep children out of poverty. And many fathers are the main carers when mothers are working.
• Fathers perform a central role in playing with younger children, organising family trips, preparing children for the outside world and developing their social skills.
• Research has shown that if fathers read, engage and encourage their children in their education, then children tend to perform better academically.
• The bottom line is the more and the earlier fathers are involved the better their children do and the less difficulties they tend to have statistically.

You can get more information on the expectant fathers course by calling 0207 237 5353 or emailing emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Working With Men also has two booklets with information for young and or expectant fathers by contacting Hannah Merry on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or calling 0207 237 5353.

You can view these booklets as a download:

New Father? Or about to come one? booklet

Young Father? Or about to come one? booklet

Course details page for expectant fathers

The programme consists four 2 hour sessions. The main content is as follows:

Session One – Practical Skills – learning how to hold, feed, bath, change and bond with baby.

Session Two – Why fathers are important and what kind of father do you want to be? – To ensure expectant fathers understand why they are important and provide them with an opportunity to reflect on the kind of father they want to be.

Session Three – Impact on relationships – To ensure that expectant fathers understand the changes that will occur in their relationships with their partner, work and friends.

Session Four – Horror stories and issues raised by the expectant fathers – to help fathers be more prepared for labour and the birth. Also to answer any questions the expectant fathers may have.

Reading will be given in between sessions, as appropriate and reflection forms will be issued to stimulate discussion.

A follow up session will be held when all of the father’s babies are at least 6 weeks old, when they have had some experience of being fathers and the question and answer theme continues.

Below are a few of the hospitals the courses will be available at.

To book yourself on to a course contact the head office or call the development coordinator on 07948 286601