Getting dads onto parenting courses

All the courses in the CAN Parent pilot can be attended by both mothers, fathers, and other men and women in a parenting role (and recruitment of each will be evaluated). But for all sorts of reasons (including that men are more likely than women to be out at work all day), you are probably in contact with far more mums than dads. This doesn’t mean fathers and father figures aren’t interested in their parenting role, or that they don’t matter. In fact they matter hugely to children, and parenting courses work much better if both mum and dad are both involved. Given the chance, dads really do want advice and support so they can offer their children a great start in life.

So here are some tips to get dads to sign up for CAN Parent courses:

  • Mothers, fathers and other carers are eligible for vouchers, and more than one adult per child can have one. They don’t have to live with the child to be eligible. Every time you hand a voucher to a parent, ask if they’d like one for the other parent (or parents) too. Whenever you mention the pilots, explain why it could be helpful for more than one to attend a course. Mention to mums especially that getting their child’s dad to come along is a great way to help him support her parenting.
  • Always mention the pilot to dads if you see them. If a dad phones up, emails or texts, always ask him if he knows about the vouchers and tell him all about them. Point out that children do best when BOTH parents take up a parenting course offer.
  • You may see fathers fleetingly, for example dropping children off or picking them up – or in different contexts (the plumber who comes to fix something in your building might be a dad!). Find ways to get vouchers and parenting course information into their hands. Make it easy for dads – keep the information near the entrance, with a sign making clear that mums and dads should both take part.
  • Use Father’s Day and other ‘family days’ as an opportunity to encourage dads to come in, and promote the courses to them.
  • Ask local mums and dads to help. Encourage parents using your setting to spread the word to other mothers AND fathers about the offer. And ask them for their advice on reaching local dads.
  • Don’t forget dads who don’t live with their children all the time. These dads are really important for their children and a good course could help them stay positively involved (and also help the mum and dad think about ways to ensure they present a ‘united front’ on key issues with the children). The dad and the mum can come to different courses and still benefit hugely from the experience.
  • When a new family registers with your service, make it a routine part of the process that you meet both mum and dad - and when you meet them, talk to them both about the parenting course pilot.
  • If you decide to send out vouchers to parents you are in contact with, it’s a good idea to put in two vouchers. This makes it clear that the courses are for both parents, and makes it easier for both to attend.

Getting dads onto parenting courses – Page 1

  • Put the offer on your email footer – explaining clearly that mums and dads are eligible for vouchers and why it’s best if both go to a course.
  • Above all, CONFIDENTLY emphasise that it should be routine and normal for BOTH parents to come along to parenting courses. And always explain why this matters – as parents won’t necessarily realise this. A parent attending alone should be the exception not the rule.

There is good evidence that these techniques work. But obviously every setting is different. So monitor how effective your agency is at getting both parents to take away vouchers, and getting mums to take away vouchersfor dads –then discuss at team meetings to create the most robust strategy.

Why does dads’ attendance matter?

  • Fathers can often be less confident and skilled than mothers at looking after babies and toddlers. This doesn’t mean they’re less good at it – just that in most cases, they have less experience. Helping them develop their skills can enable them to take responsibility as independently capable, hands-on parents.
  • Fathers who attend parenting courses tend to do more with their children afterwards – and to do it better – and their babies and toddlers also develop faster and better, including developing higher IQs.
  • The ways in which fathers and mothers work together as a ‘parenting team’ strongly influence how well their children will do: when BOTH parents attend a course (even if at separate sessions) the ‘parenting team’ tends to become more stable, as does the couple’s relationship.
  • If only one parent attends a session, the other may not understand changes the ‘attending parent’ tries to introduce at home, and may undermine them.
  • When BOTH parents attend child behaviour tends to improve more quickly and positive changes are maintained.
  • Two heads are better than one: when BOTH parents attend a session, they’re likely to understand new strategies better.
  • BOTH attending helps a parent who is normally a ‘back up parent’ to become more central to their children’s lives.
  • BOTH attending helps a parent who is normally a main carer to get real support from their child’s other parent.

Find out more

Visit for more ideas and publications to help you reach out to, and engage with, fathers and father-figures.

Getting dads onto parenting courses – Page 1