Introduction: 'Father Figures' is a parenting project set in HMP/YOI Brinsford in partnership between NOMs, Staffordshire County Council, HMP Brinsford, and Safe Ground. Young fathers work with an experienced facilitator to consider their relationships with partners, ex-partners, and families. Participants explore ways of communicating and build on strengths through one-to-one sessions and a one-off group programme. The young fathers' partners, ex-partners, and families are concurrently supported out in the community, utilising outside partner agencies.
Background: Brendan is a young father who has a four-year-old daughter with his ex-partner, Belinda. According to Belinda, their relationship ended once it became too violent. She feels that drink and drugs played a huge part in Brendan's behaviour at that time. Brendan stated that he struggled at school with dyslexia and little support. After frequently misbehaving, the school excluded him. Brendan's father then personally tutored him but their relationship broke down when Brendan took to drink and drugs. Brendan's participation in the programme was carefully considered because his crime was a sexualized offence. Due to the fact that frequent visits were taking place at the prison with his daughter and Belinda, and that Brendan's offence was not against a minor, it was deemed safe and positive for Brendan to take part in the programme with the full support of the Safeguarding Team and Safe Ground policy. Safe Ground Safeguarding policy states that individuals will be made aware of all advice sought that may impact them, therefore the Safeguarding Team's involvement to ensure that it was safe for Brendan to proceed with the course was with Brendan's full knowledge and consent. Issues raised As well as using the programme to work on his relationship and communication skills, Brendan hoped to improve his prospects upon release. He wanted to make a fresh start and felt remorse for his past behaviour. Belinda had low self-esteem and low confidence upon entering the programme, and was hoping to get some qualifications.
Support offered: Brendan and Belinda engaged separately with a facilitator to consider their own relationships with loved ones and how to develop and build on a variety of skills. Their engagement with and progression on the programme are detailed below.
Brendan: Brendan engaged well with 'Father Figures', accessing as many vocational programmes as he could. He developed his communication and relationship skills, capacity for empathy, and awareness of child development. The Programme Manager provided information about The Prince's Trust. Brendan booked onto a one-week 'Fire-Fighting Simulation' course in the community to build on his already improved confidence, team-building skills, and sense of achievement post-release. This also provided access to a mentoring service and employment support. Brendan discussed setting up his own business with the Programme Manager and the Prince's Trust. The Prince's Trust will secure a business mentor following a suitable plan. Social networks that were explored in the prison were utilised in the community. The relationship and communication work undertaken also inspired Brendan to visit his estranged father for the first time in years.
Belinda: During an initial visit to Belinda, the Programme Manager advised her to check with Social Services for any sanctions in place for contact between Brendan and his daughter for child protection. A call was made to the local Safeguarding Team together. Social Services were happy for the visits to continue at the prison, which reassured Belinda, and advised that a solicitor should support contact arrangements with Brendan in the community. The Programme Manager accompanied Belinda to a free 30-minute family law consultation. The solicitor advised that Belinda did not need a contact order. Belinda arranged for Brendan's sister to supervise contact with their daughter once Brendan was released and Social Services were happy with these provisions. Before entering the programme, Belinda had just been turned down for a voluntary position which she felt was the 'last straw' for her self-esteem. A 'Relate' programme on 'Life Skills and Confidence Building' was recommended to her. Building on the positive effect this course had on her, she was encouraged to look at courses at the local college and in her community. Belinda chose to attend a Child Development course run by Staffordshire County Council in conjunction with Adult Community Learning.
Outcomes: Brendan worked with multiple agencies such as the National Careers Service, The Prince's Trust, and New Leaf post-release, and actively looked for new work. He adhered to his TAG licence and continued to abstain from drink and drugs. Brendan saw both his daughter and his father on a regular basis. He stated that the programme helped him significantly as he had not been motivated to do anything prior to entering prison. Belinda was a lot more positive about the future after being on the programme. Having seen the changes in Brendan, she felt reassured that he would help bring up their child and confident that she could go to Brendan for support in relation to their daughter. Belinda stated that she and Brendan were getting on much better than before, which had a very positive effect on their four-year-old daughter.
Please note the names of the participants have been changed for confidentiality
