The Parenting Programme
The Fathers Together parenting programme is adapted from Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities, a programme developed by the Race Equality Foundation. The adaptation was developed with young fathers, lived experience partners, practitioners, researchers and prison stakeholders.
The programme is designed for young fathers in prison. It creates space to reflect on fatherhood, identity, relationships, culture, communication, family connection and hopes for the future.
Why adapt a parenting programme for young fathers in prison?
Many parenting programmes were not designed with young fathers in prison in mind. Fathers Together responds to the need for support that speaks to young men’s lives, family relationships, cultural identities and the realities of imprisonment.
The programme recognises that families come in many forms. It is about helping fathers think about how to build and maintain safe, meaningful and realistic connections with their children and families, whatever their family set-up.
What does the programme focus on?
Fatherhood, identity and values
Children's needs and development
Communication with children, co-parents and family members
Culture, heritage and family histories
Masculinity, vulnerability and emotional expression
Trust, repair and accountability
Managing conflict and difficult emotions
Hopes for the future
Community, belonging and support
A culturally grounded approach
The programme is rooted in the idea that families are shaped by shared values, cultures, histories and communities. It recognises the harms that many families have experienced, including racism, poverty, trauma and criminal justice involvement, while also focusing on strengths, pride, care and possibility.
The programme asks how fathers can be supported not only as individuals, but as part of families and communities. It recognises that raising children is not only a private responsibility. It also requires community, advocacy and wider support.
What we learnt from proof-of concept delivery
The adapted programme was delivered as a proof-of-concept with a small group of young fathers in prison. Young fathers showed strong engagement and attendance across the programme sessions.
The delivery suggested that fathers valued having a dedicated space to talk honestly about fatherhood, family, relationships, culture, identity and change. It showed the importance of trust, skilled facilitation, cultural relevance, group safety, prison support and realistic expectations about what can be achieved in a prison setting.
The proof-of-concept work helped refine the programme and informed the design of the wider feasibility study. The next phase will test delivery across six programmes in three prisons and explore how the programme works in different prison contexts, including what support is needed for recruitment, facilitation, family involvement and links to resettlement.
What makes the programme different?
Fathers Together is not only about teaching parenting techniques. It is about creating a reflective, respectful and culturally grounded space where young fathers can think about who they are, who their children need them to be, and what support is needed to strengthen family relationships safely and realistically.