Although becoming a parent for the first time can be described as one of the most joyous occasions that an adult may experience, who prepares us for what comes next, especially for parents/parents to be who are in prison?

The Dads Matter programme is a course that has been specifically designed by Parenting 2000 to help fathers/male carers and fathers-to-be, who are currently in prison, to build on their existing parenting skills.

The course is 2 days long (full time) and will take place in an available room within local prisons.

The course looks at:

• Existing parenting skills
• Positive parenting skills such as giving praise, time out, rewards & sanctions, choices & consequences, positive discipline)
• The rights & responsibilities of parents
• Feelings & emotions
• Separation
• Supporting family communication
• And much, much more

Parenting 2000 can also offer on-going direct support to prisoners and their families where appropriate.

“This course makes you feel you are not a let down for your kids”

“When your child is born no one gives you a manual on how to be a dad and raise your kids. This course is like reading that manual.”

“This course makes you feel you are not a let down for your kids – I realise how lucky I am to be a dad!”

If you know of, or are working with a father/male carer who you think would benefit from attending a Dads Matter course, please get them to speak to one of the following to check if we’re currently in their prison:

• Probation Officer
• Offender Supervisor
• Community Prison Officer

If you work at a prison that we are not currently delivering Dads Matter in, but would like us to come in and deliver our course, please contact Janine Hyland on 01704 380047.