Dads-Space.com is a website aimed at all fathers and offers an entertaining and no-nonsense approach to parenting advice. The information available is based on fathers’ own experiences and up-to-date research; ranging from child development through to advice on what activities Dads can undertake with their children. Some of the more fun aspects to the site include blogs; reviews on games, books and toys; and competitions. Dads’ Space provides links to helpful resources and services as well as hosting its own helpdesk, where Dads can email one of our parenting advisors around any issues they may be having as a father. The site will also provide information surrounding the more complex family matters including domestic violence, divorce and post separation parenting.
Dads’ Space 1-2-1
There is more to Dads' Space than meets the eye. Not only do we provide no-nonsense parenting advice and product reviews, we also have our partner service: Dads' Space 1-2-1 - the Virtual Contact Centre, which is designed specifically for fathers who are separated from their children. The site encourages Dads to maintain and enhance their relationship with their children; enabling children to stay in contact with their Dad, even in difficult circumstances. As with the main Dads' Space site, 1-2-1 has also been backed through the DCSF.
Why Dads' Space 1-2-1?
Often Dads find themselves isolated as parents and many report finding their relationship with their children, difficult to maintain after separation. Support services have not always addressed the individual parenting needs, and specifically targeted fathers groups have not always triggered success. Dads' Space 1-2-1 aims to bridge the gap of support services and address the problems parental separation creates for many families, Dads in particular.
When child contact issues are raised due to acrimonious separation and allegations of abuse, enabling safe, responsible father involvement has often proved problematic. Dads' Space 1-2-1 has been developed through wanting to find a way that:
A. Works for children - through providing them with more autonomy over contact arrangements and because children are more familiar with the internet as a way of supporting social relationships
B. Allows fathers to communicate with their children in a way that does not place either the child or mother at risk. Dads' Space 1-2-1 is a secure online service where safety is a priority, while still promoting Dads involvement in their children's lives.
How does Dads' Space work?
Like child contact in the real world, there are levels of access depending on safety and risk. All services offering support to children and families do so using a referral process and completing a risk assessment and Dads' Space 1-2-1 is no exception. There are three contact privileges and following the completion of the assessment, the Dads' Space 1-2-1 moderator will determine what level of contact the child and their father can have. The three levels are:
Indirect - this allows parent and child to play games and exchange preset text; cards; gifts and greetings. There will be no free text permitted and is the most secure level.
Supervised - allowing a broad exchange of information, sharing photos and the playing of games. However, all communication is moderated before it is transmitted.
Supported - this allows free real-time communication which is sampled and post moderated to ensure that the service is being used appropriately.
For more info visit www.dads-space.com