Fatherhood Institute secures 50% more funding

The Fatherhood Institute has been awarded a 50% increase (to £440,000) in core funding from Government from 2009, to support its growing role in shaping a child-focused narrative on fatherhood in children's policy and services.

The think tank has been the spearhead for a string of initiatives over the last 12 months, including a major cross-charity campaign to improve support for separating families, called "Kids in the Middle". The Institute has also led a key debate on the role of fathers in maternity services - stimulating a Government summit on the issue to take place early in 2009 - and has influenced other key Government strategies on both children's services and health.

Kids in the Middle, backed by 24 of the nation's agony aunts, prompted the Government's first ever 'Relationship Summit' and secured £55 million backing for separating families and children affected by relationship breakdown.

In the coming months, the Institute will support the 'Think Fathers' campaign, launched in November 2008 by Children's Minister Beverley Hughes to help improve the way children's services currently work with dads.

Chief Executive Duncan Fisher was recently appointed an OBE in the New Year's Honours List for services to children.
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