Dad Matters Family Support Coordinator

Job Title

Dad Matters Co-ordinator

Employer

Home-StartWakefield & District

Reportsto

HSWDOperations Manager

Hours of work

37hoursperweek

Contract

to 30 September 2027(further continuation subject to funding)

Base

Homestart Wakefield WF1 4RW, withregular travel acrossdistrict

Purpose of the Job

Th e Dad Matters coordinators deliver a range of universal and targeted interventions aimed at male parents in the First 1001 Days. They support dads and other male carers with attachment and bonding, mental health and access to service. They also work with professionals and perinatal services to ensure dads and male carers are engaged, supported and heard within clinical pathways.

The post holder will:

• Build onthe Home-Start foundation of peer support by engaging and supporting dadsin 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 fathersand their familiesduring the perinatal period
• Raise awareness of the impact on fathers of caring for a partner affected byperinatal mental health issues
• Develop the Dad Matters volunteer roleacrossWakefield
• Develop close links with other health and voluntary agencies inWakefield
• Facilitate regular consultation with fathers through outreach and focus groups

Main Responsibilities Support toDads

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

• Facilitating or co-facilitating ante-natal Dad Chatsin person and online
• Supporting the developments ofsupport 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
• Ensure equality of opportunity, fairness and diversity in all aspects ofwork
• 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 dadsand make thisavailable throughthe Dad Matters website anda range of social media
• Engage dads through social media,self-referraland email.
• Ensure the integrity of the Dad Matters Brand when engaging dads and professionals.

Recruiting &Managing Volunteers- this will involve:

• Recruiting, selecting and preparing suitable volunteers
• Arranging and co-ordinating volunteer activityin person and online
• Providingsupportandsupervision for volunteersengaged inworking with dads
• To provide further training forHome-StartDad Mattersvolunteersas appropriate

Monitoring & Evaluation:

• Support theevaluation ofthe impact ofDad Matters
• Ensure accurate and relevant record keeping and data collection

Working in Partnership

• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with key health partners, including those from Parent Infant Mental Health teams, Midwifery, IAPT,Perinatal Teams,Adult Mental Health, Health Visiting and other VCSE groups
• Networking appropriately within the community
• Delivering/co-delivering training to multi-agency colleagues as appropriate

Supporting the work ofHome-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 theleadership teamto support the strategic management, development and future funding ofHome-Start.
• Supporting the implementation and review of Home-Start policies and procedures.
• Complying withHome-Start'sadministration, monitoring and financial systems.
• Promoting the work ofHome-Start and of thisprojectas 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.

This job description is current as atMay 2026.

This form also indicates how the different requirements may be assessed during the selection process: A = Application Form, I = Interview, E = Exercise

ESSENTIAL Method of Assessment

A I E

Education and qualifications

Relevantstandard of education x

Employment History

Relevant previous or current employment, experienceor voluntary work x

Support toDads

Understanding of the needs of families with young children/infants x x

Knowledge of the impact that poor mental health can have fordadsduring the perinatal period x x x

Knowledge of early attachment and of the impact of parental mental health issues on the parent'srelationshipwith their baby x x x

Experience of the barriers and challenges faced by men when they become parents x

Understandingof safeguarding issues x x x

Knowledge of current legislation and policies relating to children and families x x

Ability tofacilitategroups x x

Ability to engage with and consult fathers from a range of backgrounds x x x

Ability to use social media effectively and responsibly x x

Ability to develop supportive relationships with dads x

Knowledge and experience of recruitingand supervisingvolunteers x

Ability to deliver volunteer training x x x

Working in partnership and in the wider context

Knowledge of the roles of agencies providing services for children and families x x

Project promotion skills x x

Training and presentation skills x x

Supporting the work of Home-Start

Ability to prioritise and undertake planning x x

Ability to process and collate information x x

Experience of using outcomes measures for evaluating and monitoring x x

Ability to prepare reports and statistical information x x

Self management/personal attributes

Ability to thrive in a changing work environment x x x

Experience of building supportive relationships x x

A positive and creative approach to tackling tasks x x

Knowledge of and commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice x x

Understanding of the need for professional confidentiality x x

Good written and verbal communication skills x x

Skills in managing barriers that fathers may have to engagement x x x

Ability to work as part of a team x x

Special requirements

Able to work flexibly, some evening or week-end work and occasional residential training x x

Willingness to access training opportunities x

Ability to use audio-visual aids, computers and filming equipment x

Car driver x

Eligibility to work in the UK x

DESIRABLE

Experience of a child on NICU x

Relevant professional training, for example, Health Visitor, Teacher, Social worker, Child carer x

Teaching or training qualificationor experienceor working towards x

Experience of work in the voluntary sector or as a volunteer x x