Dad Matters Co-ordinator

The purpose of the job is to deliver a range of universal and targeted interventions that build on the good work of Dad Matters across Warrington, Northwich and Winsford

The post holder will:

• Build on the Home-Start foundation of peer support by engaging and supporting dads in one to one and group situations


• Ensure that parent - infant relationships are a thread through every relationship and conversation with dads


• Raise awareness of the risks of poor mental health for fathers and their families during the perinatal period


• Raise awareness of the impact on fathers of caring for a partner affected by perinatal mental health issues


• Develop the Dad Matters volunteer role across Halton and surrounding areas


• Develop close links with other health and voluntary agencies in Halton and Warrington


• Facilitate regular consultation with fathers through outreach and focus groups


Main Responsibilities

Support to Dads

The post holder will provide individual and group support to dads during the perinatal period. This will involve the following:

• Meeting dads at ante-natal clinics and Family Hubs


• Facilitating or co-facilitating ante-natal Dad Chats


• Supporting the developments of support offered to dads with children on NICU and those with partners in receipt of care from Perinatal Mental Health teams, Adult Mental Health, IAPT and Parent Infant Mental Health teams


• Signposting and supporting access to other services as appropriate


• Undertake designated responsibilities to safeguard and promote children's welfare


• Undertaking one to one support with Dads


• Ensure equality of opportunity, fairness and diversity in all aspects of work


• Facilitate regular focus groups with fathers in order to ensure that all resources are targeted appropriately


Promotion & Awareness Raising:

• Maintain up-to-date information for dads and make this available through the Dad Matters website and a range of social media


• Engage effectively through social media and direct messaging as appropriate and as directed by the Project Manager


Recruiting & Managing Volunteers - this will involve:

• Recruiting, selecting and preparing suitable volunteers


• Arranging and co-ordinating volunteer activity at ante-natal clinics and in Dad Chats


• Providing support and supervision for volunteers engaged in working with dads


Monitoring & Evaluation:

• Support the evaluation of the impact of Dad Matters


• Ensure accurate and relevant record keeping and data collection


Working in Partnership

• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with key partners, including those from Family Hubs, Midwifery, Perinatal Teams, Health Visiting and other VCSE groups


• Networking appropriately within the community and leading on Workshops at the Family Hubs


• Delivering/co-delivering training to multi-agency colleagues as appropriate


Supporting the work of Home-Start

• To contribute to the effective day to day operation of Home-Start in accordance with the Home-Start Memorandum & Articles of Association, Home-Start, Standards & Methods of Practice, Home-Start Agreement and Quality Assurance Standards.


• Undertaking work as delegated by the senior member of staff to support the strategic management, development and future funding of Home-Start.


• Supporting the implementation and review of Home-Start policies and procedures.


• Complying with Home-Start's administration, monitoring and financial systems.


• Promoting the work of Home-Start and of this project as required


• Contributing to and supporting the development of the Home-Start network locally, regionally and nationally.


The post holder may be required to undertake any other duties that fall within the nature of the role and responsibilities of the post as detailed above.

Employer: Home-Start Warrington & Cheshire, The Old School, Fairfield Street, Warrington WA1 3AJ.

Hours of work: 30 hours per week

Salary: £24-£26k pro-rata

Responsible to: CEO