The Following Young Fathers Further team is working in partnership with a number of professional organisations across the UK to generate a unique evidence base that is driving both practice-informed research and evidence-informed practice. This rewarding approach to research relies on nurturing a new culture of continual improvement for services that recognises the value of research and evidence. This includes providing a useful benchmark for moving forward in the promotion of gender transformative practice and for creating know-how knowledge for evolving services as a joint venture.
With the support of our study partners we are creating a range of freely available reports, resources and visual outputs to inform and promote gender transformative support and practice.
We are also using existing research findings and professional knowledge and expertise to implement the Grimsby Dads Collective. This unique cocreation project involves working in collaboration to train young fathers as ‘experts by experience’ and to promote father-inclusive practice by testing the Young Dads Collective model in new areas of the UK.
Training and Development Opportunities
Our work is relevant to a broad range of organisations and agencies and we have worked directly with professionals working in education, social services, maternity services, health visiting, GP surgeries, the third and VCSE sectors and more. The research team welcome opportunities to deliver practitioner training to support the promotion of father-inclusive, gender transformative approaches.
If you are based in Grimsby, look out for opportunities to attend an ‘Ask a Dad’ workshop delivered by the young fathers of the Grimsby Dads Collective and/or contact Debbie Taylor to find out more about what is on offer. We have also been sharing our learning at webinars attended by national professionals from a broad range of agencies who may be supporting or come into contact with young fathers and their families. In collaboration with an advisory group and the North East Young Dads and Lads peer research team, Adam, Will and Dylan, we delivered a sharing and learning webinar in April 2021 where we presented our findings and recommendations for practice in the support of young fathers, including those from minoritised communities. This event was designed and delivered by this collaborative.
Dr Anna Tarrant has also presented at numerous practitioner conferences, training events and workshops and we welcome invitations to present about the Following Young Fathers Further research and the practice relevant knowledge it is producing. Please contact us for more information.
