What is Caring Dads?
- Non-judgmental
- Strengths-based
- Child-centred parenting
Caring Dads™ is a 17-week group programme which aims to improve the parent-child relationship between fathers and their children. It is an evidence-based programme specifically for men who have abused and neglected their children or exposed them to abuse of their mother.
The aim is to help men take accountability for their actions, address attitudes to parenting and promote healthy relationships between parent and child.
Andy, a dad who has completed the programme
“If I had to give advice to anyone considering attending Caring Dads I’d say do it….”
Who is it for?
The programme is for fathers who want to develop child-centred parenting and build positive and healthy relationships with their children.
- We accept referrals from individuals and other organisations. However, in situations where a father self-refers, we ask that a professional who knows the circumstances of the case submits a referral and attends a screening interview with them. Typically this professional might be a social worker, probation officer or family court advisor.
- We check fathers are suitable for the programme before it starts with a screening interview.
- Fathers need to be having contact with their children at least every two weeks.
Aims of the programme
The Caring Dads programme works with fathers to:
- Teach fathers about the impact of hurtful or controlling behaviour and change patterns of abuse.
- Teach fathers to understand the needs of their children and to become child-centred in their parenting.
- Promote respectful co-parenting with children’s mothers to give children a positive nurturing environment to learn and develop in.
Ade, a dad who has completed the programme
“Men should know they are not being judged, it is not a course for ‘bad’ fathers, but men brave enough to admit they need help and who want to improve”.
What the programme offers
- A safe non-judgmental space for fathers to express themselves.
- A chance for men to connect as fathers.
- An opportunity for fathers to learn from other fathers’ experience and cultures.
- Equip fathers with tools to problem solve and overcome challenges.
- Allow fathers to reflect on their thoughts, feelings and actions.
- To learn more, read our interviews with two dad’s who have completed the course Mark’s Story and Anthony’s Story.
How to make a referral
To make a referral, please complete our Caring Dad’s referral form and return it to info@welcare.org. We will then assess the suitability of the referral and a member of our Family Support Team will contact the father for a screening interview.
Jakub, a dad who has completed the programme
“It’s helped me realise my past mistakes and accept my fault in them”.
Cost and other useful information
- The total cost for the 17 weeks is £1,600. In some cases, the course is paid for by the Local Authority, but if the father is self funding, depending on their circumstances we can offer them a discounted rate and/or staggered payments.
- Welcare facilitates Caring Dads in two locations: Southwark in London and Redhill in Surrey. This is an in-person course and the father would need to be able to travel to the location each week.
- Caring Dads takes place in the evening, and refreshments will be provided.
- Caring Dads is a group work programme designed to provide a rich learning experience by encouraging participation and peer learning. In order to achieve this we require a minimum of 6 men to make a group viable and we aim to run groups with between 6-10 dads. Welcare will confirm one week prior to the start of each Caring Dads group whether we have the minimum number to allow the group to start.
Research that supports Caring Dads
- American Psychological Association “Caring Dads, Safer Children: A families’ perspective on an intervention for maltreating fathers”
- University of Birmingham ‘Caring Dads Safer Children’ by Julie Taylor
- University of Melbourne ‘Caring Dads programme: Helping fathers to value their children’ by Dr Kristin Diemer et al. Or read the Summary Report
Upcoming Groups...
London: Caring Dads
- For: Fathers with children of all ages
- Location: Welcare, 48 Union Street, London, SE1 1TD
- Dates: Tuesday 4th March 2025 to Tuesday 15th July (breaks for school holidays)
- Cost: Full cost of programme £1600 with bursary support available on a case-by-case basis
- Contact: Email info@welcare.org or call 0207 820 7910
- Details:
- Accreditation: All Welcare facilitators have completed training with Caring DadsTM Canada
Surrey: Caring Dads
- For: Fathers with children of all ages
- Location: Welcare in East Surrey, 24 Warwick Road, RH1 1BU
- Dates: Early 2026
- Cost: Full cost of programme £1600 with bursary support available on a case-by-case basis
- Contact: Email info@welcare.org or call 0207 820 7910
- Details:
- Accreditation: All Welcare facilitators have completed training with Caring DadsTM Canada
