Early Intervention

Parenting UK’s March News Bulletin pointed out that one of the key recommendations of Graham Allen’s review on early intervention was a national parenting campaign which would “ensure that the public, parents, health professionals and, especially, newly pregnant women are aware of the importance of developing social and emotional capability in the first years of life, and understand the best ways of encouraging good later outcomes for their children.”

All entirely laudable but some of us might think this laudable intention would be better expressed if, after the phrase newly pregnant women, the phrase and their partners was inserted.

News about the young dads-to-be course

A couple of agencies in the south west have already acquired the licence to run the course. Last week I learnt that a third intended to do so, and yesterday I met with three workers from another south west agency. They really like the look of the course and its contents, so I hope to receive their order soon. I’ve also been approached to run a workshop at a conference in May and will post more information about that in a while.

Media interest, of sorts

We received an approach from another film maker recently who are "working on a ground-breaking new series for Channel 4 that will turn documentary film-making on its head – by putting the cameras in the hands of the documentary subjects themselves. The series will follow five men (of different ages and backgrounds) as they film their own lives. We are looking for insightful men who are able to speak about their hopes, challenges, joys and fears and take viewers on a journey through their lives. We are hoping that one of these men might be a young father or a young father-to-be."

I put them in touch with a couple of the guys but, surprise, surprise, the company and/or Channel 4 have changed their minds and are changing the focus of the programme, or so they say. Yet another reminder of the perils of associating with media. I really should have learnt that lesson by now.