Young dads in Bristol are being supported to prepare for fatherhood and build strong bonds with their child, thanks to a pilot project launched by Sirona care & health.
Our Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) which supports young parents in Bristol, who are aged 19 or under, has been given funding for a new Young Fathers Worker to provide tailored support to teenage dads.
The new role has been funded for two years to provide more support for dads who do not access current support due to practical and psychological barriers.
Allie Morley, Young Fathers Worker and Assistant Psychologist with Sirona, said: “The Family Nurse Partnership is an intensive, targeted home-visiting programme for first-time young mothers and families in Bristol (and nationally). It is for mothers who are under 19 to support them with their pregnancy and until the child is two years old.
“Partners and fathers can feel excluded from this support due to being absent from the family home, at work or in education, or more commonly because the couple are separated and living in different homes.
“We know when dads are present, consistent and build a nurturing relationship with their child, it results in better outcomes for the entire family, so the Family Nurse Partnership has created a Young Fathers Worker role to ensure dads are being equally supported in the difficult transition into parenthood.
“Evidence shows young fathers (under 25) face specific barriers including social isolation, depression, anxiety, challenges with identity and difficulties within the co-parenting relationship.
“I deliver assertive outreach to teenage dads and support them with their psychological wellbeing, with co-parenting, and building close father-child relationships.
“A lot of people assume that if a pregnancy is unplanned, it’s unwanted, but that isn’t the case. I work with a lot of dads who are passionate about being a good dad and enthusiastic about providing their child with the best life possible. My role is to give them the tools and resources to do that.
Allie Morley was interviewed about the role by Dr Marianne Trent on The Aspiring Psychologist podcast. You can listen to the interview here.
