Trust for the Study of Adolescence

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Merton Teenage Pregnancy Partnership -
Research and Consultation through Drama.

The Teenage Pregnancy Partnership recognised support for young fathers in Merton needed to be addressed urgently. Consequently, the partnership mapped services that worked directly with young fathers or who had young fathers in their client group. This led to the development of a piece of research carried out with young fathers (under 24 years with teenage partners) in order to identify their support needs.

A number of interviews were conducted with young fathers, and the findings given to Pro-Thinc Theatre Company to devise a short play based on the young fathers’ experiences. Young fathers in the area were then invited to attend a consultation event where the play was shown to stimulate discussion about their experiences and ways of improving support offered to them. The audience consisted of young fathers aged 24 and below, whose partners were under 20. Over 30 young fathers from Merton and Sutton also attended the event and expressed their experiences and views about being a young father in Merton.

The combined research and drama event revealed young fathers wanted a variety of support such as:

• advice, support and information on housing, employment and benefits, parenting skills, local services, relationships, child access issues, and confidence building
• provision of one-to-one support and a young fathers group
• somewhere locally to take the baby
• the same ‘advantages’ and support young mothers currently receive
• a fact sheet or newsletter for young fathers.

Learning points:

• The research and consultation event demonstrated that family networks are a key source of support for young fathers in Sutton and Merton, and that young fathers currently gain little support from professionals.
• The consultation provided an essential evidence base on which to expand and develop support for young fathers in Merton.
• Since the event, an increasing number of young fathers have accessed the Teenage Parent support services.
• The research and consultation was successful in two ways: it helped professionals gain a greater understanding of the needs of young fathers, and led directly to the expansion of existing services. It also raised young fathers’ awareness of the services available to them.
• Consulting through drama was particularly effective because it allowed young fathers to discuss their views and experiences through characters in a play. This allowed young men to express and contribute as much or as little as they wished in a safe and non-threatening way.

Contact:
Kate Jezernik (Teenage Pregnancy Coordinator)
Tel: +44 (0)208 687 4733

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