Dads and grandparents

Further work has been carried out nationally to improve the quality of information for dads and grandparents, as it is recognised that these adults are taking on a larger proportion of care of their children or grandchildren in the 21st Century.

The national Family Information Direct programme has been addressing this by working with partners to deliver information and guidance through a variety of channels. The programme funds seven different telephone helplines, and ten online services including three new ones that started from January 2010.

The recently launched Hampshire Family Information Directory (FID) is one of the channels, providing and easy online route for families and professionals to find childcare and family services both locally and nationally (www.fid.hants.gov.uk).

Social networking sites for dads

Dads-Space (www.dads-space.com)

No nonsense information and advice for dads, and a safe and secure environment for parents to keep in touch with separated children.

DadTalk (www.dadtalk.co.uk)

An online community where dads can share ideas, find information and talk about the nitty-gritty issues of being a dad.

Website for grandparents

BeGrand (www.begrand.net)

A website providing information, advice and support for grandparents, as well as a community where they can find friends and share ideas and problems.

Working fathers rights

For those fathers who are working, the Government launched a campaign called Dads at Work in February. One of the initiatives is the development and distribution of the Rights for dads at work: We speak your language leaflet, which has been produced by the Department for Business Innovation & Skills. The leaflet provides help for working fathers to know what their rights are in respect of flexible working, paternity leave and parental leave.

For further information visit www.direct.gov.uk/dadsatwork.

Other useful websites

The Fatherhood Institute (www.fatherhoodinstitute.org)

Families Need Fathers (www.fnf.org.uk)

The Grandparents Association (www.grandparents-association.org.uk)

Grandparents Plus (www.grandparentsplus.org.uk)

For more information about dads see the South East pages.

Carey Owen
Senior Development Officer
(Parent Information)