Working with men: Sharing learning from Leeds

Published: 17/11/2022

This podcast explores the journey of Leeds City Council in developing services that effectively support men.

Laura Bracey from Research in Practice speaks to Matt Tattersley, Project Manager for the Caring Dads programme within Leeds City Council.

Matt reflects on the journey that Leeds City Council has been on to improve its support to fathers and his hopes for the future. He shares examples of positive practice with fathers, and advice for social workers looking to work more effectively.

This podcast is the first in a series of three podcasts about the journey that Leeds City Council is taking to develop work with men.

Talking Points

This podcast explores:

  • The journey that Leeds City Council has taken to improve their support to fathers, including commissioning specific services for fathers.
  • The development of the Caring Dads programme in Leeds.
  • An overview of the Caring Dads programme, and the skills used by the team to support the fathers working with the programme.
  • How social workers may be able to work more effectively with fathers.

Resources that are mentioned in this podcast

Reflective questions

Here are reflective questions to stimulate conversation and support practice. 

  1. What role do you and your organisation have in supporting fathers?
  2. What key messages from this podcast can you take into your own practice?
  3. Matthew says, 'We need to work in a way where we should expect to give men a platform to express some of their anger and frustration.' What access do men and fathers in your area of practice have to express their emotions?

Professional Standards

PQS:KSS - Relationships and effective direct work | Communication | Adult mental ill health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, physical ill health and disability | Promote and govern excellent practice | Shaping and influencing the practice system | Lead and govern excellent practice | Designing a system to support effective practice

PCF - Diversity and equality | Intervention and skills