Fatherhood Institute

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Fatherhood Institute

The Fatherhood Institute works to build a society that values, prepares, and supports men as involved fathers and caregivers.

Our work focuses on policy, research, and practice. Our MITEY (Men In The Early Years) campaign/network has its own website https://miteyuk.org/ and Twitter account . If you would like to see more men working as early years teachers, educators and childminders, join us there!

19/06/2026

The death of two-year-old Preston Davey is heartbreaking.

Jeremy Davies, our Deputy CEO, has written to Dame Rachel de Souza, Children's Commissioner for England, to support her efforts to ensure lessons are learned from this tragedy.

Over many years, our research has shown that services too often fail to identify, engage with and assess fathers, father-figures and other male carers effectively. We are concerned that evidence from major safeguarding reviews, including The Myth of Invisible Men, has still not led to the changes needed to better protect children.

In our letter, we call for immediate action to improve how safeguarding services work with fathers and other men in children's lives, and for a national conversation about the recurring patterns that allow vulnerable children to become unseen by services.

One child harmed is one too many.

We welcome the Children's Commissioner's leadership on this issue and stand ready to help in whatever way we can.

You can read our full letter in the carousel below.

09/06/2026

When a baby arrives, life changes overnight.

For mothers, there is recognition that recovery and bonding take time. For fathers, the expectation is often very different.

In the UK, most dads still get just two weeks of paternity leave.

Two weeks to support their partner through one of the biggest transitions of their lives.

Two weeks to build confidence as a parent.

Two weeks to bond with their new baby before returning to work.

That simply isn't enough.

The Fatherhood Institute's campaign is calling for six weeks of properly paid paternity leave, giving fathers the chance to be present when their families need them most.

We've also created a short film exploring why this matters and what better paternity leave could mean for families across the UK:

🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOfjiMpWi7c

Find out more about the campaign and how you can support it:

👉 www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/six-weeks-for-dads

Because being there in those first weeks shouldn't be a privilege. It should be a right.

08/06/2026

This , we're thinking about attunement – the process of noticing, understanding and responding to a baby's signals.

Attunement isn't about getting it right all the time. It's something that develops through everyday interactions: holding, soothing, talking, playing and spending time together.

For new fathers, learning to understand their baby's cues can be both rewarding and challenging.

That's why we created Becoming Dad, our free guide to support men through the transition to fatherhood.

The guide explores fathers' wellbeing, relationships, confidence and connection with their baby... all important foundations for building an attuned relationship.

📖 Download Becoming Dad 👇

https://b63883e4-9279-4749-9c70-3504f92c279b.filesusr.com/ugd/efff1d_f24a9bf2344449ab97057dd600f710f3.pdf

02/06/2026

Researchers at the University of Leeds are exploring how fathers combine work and parenting, and are currently looking to speak with dads from a wide range of backgrounds and family situations.

You may be eligible if you:

✅ Are a father of a child aged 17 or under

✅ Have combined parenting and paid work (currently or in the past)

✅ Have lived in the UK throughout your children’s lives

The research team is keen to hear from fathers with diverse experiences, including single fathers, dads in blended families, same-sex parents, and adoptive or foster fathers.

Taking part involves:

🗣️ A one-hour online interview at a time that suits you

🔒 Confidential and anonymised participation

🎁 A £25 shopping voucher as a thank you for your time

This is a valuable opportunity to help improve understanding of fathers’ experiences of balancing work and family life.

If you're interested in taking part, please get in touch with Lilith Brouwers at [email protected]

31/05/2026

An unfortunate result against Paris St. Germain, but congratulations to Arsenal on a fantastic season.

Success at the highest level is never just about talent. It’s about culture, inclusion, teamwork and investing in people.

Those same principles matter far beyond football.

That’s why we’re proud to see professionals like Drew Tyler at Arsenal in the Community championing father-inclusive practice through our Fatherhood Champions programme.

His journey shows how organisations can create environments where fathers feel welcomed, valued and supported to play an active role in their children’s lives.

Champion teams.

Champion communities.

Champion fathers.

Read more about Drew's journey 👇

https://30f76db1-627c-4f98-a381-a20bc961c3d9.usrfiles.com/ugd/30f76d_5d07902e15fb424aaf15b3ac1a24703e.pdf

Find out more about our Fatherhood Champions programme 👇

https://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/training

Arsenal Women Arsenal in the Community

28/05/2026

We’re delighted that Alison Clare is joining changemakers from around the world at the MenCare Changemaker Summit in Rio this week.

The summit brings together people working across fatherhood, gender equality and caring masculinities to share ideas, build connections and learn from one another. We’re proud to be part of these important conversations and excited to hear what emerges from the event.

Wishing everyone attending a thoughtful and inspiring few days in Rio.

https://changemakers.equimundo.org/mencare-changemaker-summit-2026-rio

23/05/2026

Want to show your support for fatherhood?

The Fatherhood Institute shop features t-shirts, hoodies and tote bags celebrating dads and the importance of fathers in children’s lives.

Every purchase helps spread the message that fathers matter, whilst supporting our work.

Take a look at the range 👇
https://fatherhood-institute.teemill.com/

21/05/2026

Adrienne Burgess and Ben Curran joined the APPG for Flexible and Family-Friendly Working event exploring what the UK can learn from parental leave systems internationally.

Heejung Chung presented the findings of a new comparative report by King's College London examining parental leave systems in the UK, Australia and Poland.

You can read the report 👇
www.kcl.ac.uk/giwl/assets/parental-leave-systems-review-uk-aus-pl.pdf

Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard shared her reflections on the political and cultural shifts that helped drive legislative change in Australia.

The event made it clear that the UK is lagging behind and that hashtag is urgently needed.

Find out more about our 6 weeks for dads campaign 👇
www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/six-weeks-for-dads

Thanks to Joanna Penn and Sarah Russell for the chairing the meeting and to the at Working Families for pulling the event together.

19/05/2026

What difference would 6 weeks make?

Listen to dads in our latest film talk about why time matters for them and for the families who rely on them.

Right now, too many dads in the UK are back at work within days.

That means missing vital time to bond with their baby, support their partner and build confidence as a parent.

We believe it can be different.

That’s why we’re calling for hashtag

: six weeks of well-paid leave for every father in their child’s first year.

🎥 Watch the film: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOfjiMpWi7c

Because when dads have time, families are stronger.

👉 Find out more and support the campaign:

www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/six-weeks-for-dads

16/05/2026

🎧 New for May: fresh interviews and resources on fatherhood are now live for our supporters

This month’s selection explores the emotional realities of fatherhood, family relationships and supporting children to thrive.

Featuring:
• Ryan Reynolds on growing up with a father living with Parkinson’s disease
• A practical guide to supporting children’s social and emotional skills
• A Men’s Circle discussion on fatherhood, fame and the things left unsaid

Our supporters get access to monthly curated content like this, helping you stay informed, inspired and connected to the latest thinking on fathers and families.

From just £5 per month, you will also be supporting our work to drive change for dads across the UK.

Explore and join us 👇
https://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/donate

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