1. ‘…Father-child relationships – be they positive, negative or lacking – have profound and wide ranging impacts on children that last a lifetime, particularly for children from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.’ (Every Child Matters, Department for Education and Skills, 2007)

2. Why Dads’ Space?  Improving access to parenting advice over 60% of fathers refer to the internet as their preferred channel in locating information  At least one in three children will experience parental separation before the age of 16  Separated fathers often find the communication process with their children very difficult; our service provides support and ideas that can help generate meaningful communication

3. Child Contact  A number of factors hamper paternal care post separation. E.g. the size and location of the fathers new home; financial implications; lack of strong social support network  40% of fathers lose all child contact within two years of separation / divorce  Fathers taking a sidelined role often results in poor outcomes in all five key areas as set out in Every Child Matters

4. Domestic Violence  Almost all fathers making an application for contact are granted contact by the court (MOJ, 2008)  Risks of further serious assaults do not cease post separation. The routes to safety study found that more than 50% women with post separation contact arrangements with an abusive partner continued to experience serious, ongoing problems with this contact.  One in Eight call outs to the metropolitan police in relation to domestic violence, are due to disputes over child contact

5. www.dads-space.org The Virtual Child Contact Centre Dads’ Space 1-2-1 gives dads a way to stay in touch with their children following separation – maintaining and enhancing their relationship

6. How it Works 3 Levels of Contact * Supported – Parents and children can email, play interactive games, chat on the messenger, upload photos, and exchange e- cards and e-gifts. Content is sampled and post- moderated to ensure the service is being used appropriately. * Supervised – Offering the same interaction as the supported level but with a limited messenger function. All communication at this level is moderated before it is transmitted. * Indirect – Parents and children can play games and exchange preset information (text, greetings and gifts).

8. Benefits to  Dads’ Space 1-2-1 is designed to help develop the father- child relationship in a safe and controlled way; promoting only positive communication  Dads’ Space 1-2-1 aims to provide more autonomy to children over their contact arrangements, including children who are looked after  Dads’ Space 1-2-1 aims to support contact between traditionally excluded fathers including: Young fathers; Military; Prison; Diplomatic Core Children

9. Referral Form Speak to father Permission to share info Speak with mother Permission to share info Send to moderator Contact father Agency checks if necessary Register family on to system Indirect automatically granted Risk Assessment Completed Access level determined 3 monthly review of contact or earlier if risk identified Feedback to referrer Contact mother Determine IT access Referring to Dads’ Space

10. www.dads-space.com

11. For Further Information Please Contact: Lesley Weber or Maxine Green Dads’ Space 0207 022 1854 / 1852 info@dads-space.org www.dcsf.gov.uk/parentknowhow www.respect.uk.net www.atticmedia.com