Social Work With Fathers ― Positive Practice

The majority of fathers, father-substitutes, and father figures wish to do well by their children. However, as a number of high profile cases testify, fathers often feel that they receive poor treatment at the hands of the social care system. In Scotland, recent research points to the value of involved parenting by fathers, while government policy initiatives, such as the Gender Equality Duty, have attempted to stress the importance of involving fathers in their child care. This book proposes a father-sensitive, father-aware social work practice. It suggests that any social care system that simply adopts a default position that child care is the responsibility of women alone is hampered by its failure to acknowledge the positive potential of fathers. The arguments advanced in the book concentrate on children and family practice, but do not neglect the importance of social work and fatherhood with vulnerable adults, as well as those within the criminal justice system. Social Work with Fathers will be of interest to a broad readership, including those working within social care and children's services, students, and policy makers. (Series: Policy & Practice in Health and Social Care - No. 18)

Gary Clapton is Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Edinburgh.