prioritypopulations.
Fatherhood Forum: priority populations
Sharing Best Practices in Engaging Fathers Evidence shows that when fathers are engaged and involved with their families, the health outcomes of mothers and their children are improved. However, a knowledge gap exists within some health care communities about exactly what practices and methods are most effective in encouraging involvement of fathers in family services.
The subsequent sessions were facilitated by Peter Slattery, a wellknown trainer and educator whose approach brought dynamic involvement and enthusiasm to the forum. Peter drew on theatre, storytelling, drawing and humour to help delegates break the ice and feel more comfortable in sharing their own experiences.
Research and direct experience shows that the involvement of fathers in family services deliver benefits by:
Participating practitioners were presented with:
• giving fathers confidence to interact with their children earlier • reducing the burden on mothers to tackle the complexities of healthcare • supporting mothers in ways that assists them to be more involved with their children’s health
• evidence on what supports fathers – practitioner skills, management and service models • ways to recognise and provide for the differing needs of fathers and mothers
• ways to develop new skills and adapt existing skills to engage fathers and deliver services that fathers want and need • strategies to help overcome the reticence some fathers may bring as a result of their past experience with services For further information on the Forum please contact: Anthony Brown Men’s Health Information and Resource Centre (MHIRC) menshealth@uws.edu.au (02) 4570 1713 http://menshealth.uws.edu.au http://www.relationships.com.au
Fatherhood Forum NSW Health has supported a new initiative that will strengthen the health community’s knowledge and skills to engage fathers in family and children’s services. NSW Health partnered with the Men’s Health Information and Resource Centre (MHIRC) based at the University of Western Sydney and Relationships Australia to bring together leading experts in a fatherhood forum on how health care providers can attract and involve fathers in family health services. The forum was held on Wednesday 14 September 2011 at Mary Mackillop Place in North Sydney. The forum showcased leading work in the area with a keynote session from Dr Richard Fletcher, Leader Fathers and Families Research Program at the University of Newcastle.
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Mr Peter Slattery, trainer (left) and Dr Richard Fletcher, University of Newcastle (right)