Families Need Fathers Scotland will receive new funding over the next two years as a strategic partner of the Scottish Government.  We have also been successful in a funding application to the Big Lottery, in partnership with Parent Network.

The new government funding was announced by Children's Minister Aileen Campbell at the end of a Scottish Parliament debate on 7th May about the work of Dads Rock, the musical playgroup for dads.  It will be used for work on supporting parenting by separated fathers by developing new support materials and training. 

We will also be working with other organisations to ensure that they include consideration of non-resident parents in training programmes.  A good example of this is the work of Stepping Stones North Edinburgh, who now run a support group for young fathers "Dads Matter" alongside their "Mellow Bumps" group for young mothers.

Dads Rock is a new playgroup in Edinburgh for fathers and their children.  They are featured in an article in Scotland on Sunday by Children's Minister Aileen Campbell.

As well as enthusing about Dads Rock following her recent visit, Aileen restates the Scottish Government's aim to include fathers in their Parenting Strategy, commenting that:

"Dads these days increasingly tend to be a lot more “hands-on” in all aspects of their children’s lives.  My own personal ­experience reflects this, given that I’m lucky enough to enjoy huge support from my own husband when it comes to caring for and raising our wee one."

"We know dads have a significant influence on their children’s development from the early years through school and into adulthood, and that dads playing a part in their kids’ lives can have all sorts of positive benefits for the family and wider community. In short, it’s crucial as a society, that we truly value and support dads in the hugely important role that they have."

Her opinion piece mentions that the Scottish Government is supporting projects such as Families Need Fathers Scotland and Men in Childcare and confirms that the father's round table meetings will continue to meet as an advisory body on national policy.

Another welcome consequence of the Scottish Parenting Strategy is that the Welsh Government will now consider putting a similar emphasis on fathers in their forthcoming Parenting Strategy.