Engaging Fathers with Learning Difficulties
How do services engage fathers with learning difficulties?
Fathers are not often the subject of research into the parenting role and parenting support interventions. In the literature on parenting with disability, fathers with learning difficulties are usually viewed as either a supportive partner to the mother or as a problematic presence in the family.
However, many fathers with learning difficulties play an active and positive parenting role. Despite the widely accepted view that fathers, as well as mothers, are important to children’s development and that fathers often require support in their parenting role, there aren’t many examples of good supports for fathers, particular when fathers have difficulties with learning.
This project is examining approaches currently used by services to engage fathers with learning difficulties. It is also exploring barriers identified by professionals and agencies to involve fathers with learning difficulties in services. The project is also developing a strategy to support agencies to better engage with these fathers.
