Lads2Dads Project (Start 360) - Belfast

The programme was developed in relation to a support and educational programme for young fathers this was due to the lack of support services available to them . The programme was designed and completed through a facilitated session with young father’s workers and young fathers as a participant consultative group. They raised the empathies of making the programme educational due to the fact that these young fathers have outstanding issues of their own which they would be able to explore through a programme like this. The topics delivered use a peer education module and a lot of self exploration. The programme is then further pinned with the experience of Start 360 Staff and the materials and expertises of the organisation. The following topics are delivered through Lads2Dads programme; Confidence in Fatherhood Communication Discipline Anger Management Sexual Health Roles of Father / Value/ Parents Skills Employment Emotional health and wellbeing Role of Social Services The Law and Your Rights Relationships, sexual health, contraception and STIs The Lads2Dads programme was Nationally Accredited in 2009 through NIOCN and provides certification titled: Introduction in Developing Parenting Skills. This is programme is available at levels 1 and 2 and delivery depends on the competency of the recruited participant group. The programme encompasses the above sessions and those of: Understanding the role of a parent, recognise the rights of children in a family unit, listening to children, managing difficult behaviour, using techniques to deal with difficult children behaviour, understanding how children learn and understand the needs of a parent. As the programme has evolved and through implementing feedback received through service user evaluations from past cohorts, individual mentoring support has been built into the programme to support young fathers on an individual basis in addressing their needs in relation to fatherhood, parenting and sexual health. Client Range : 16-25 years Delivery Area : Belfast Trust Referral Form can be downloaded from start360 website