A PIONEERING voluntary scheme to help fathers rebuild positive relationships with their children, affected by domestic abuse, is expanding into Conwy and Denbighshire.

The Caring Dads programme, which has run in Anglesey and Gwynedd, has already prevented several dozens of children from having to be taken into care, as fathers rebuild positive relationships with their families.

Now, the scheme is being expanded to help dads in Conwy and Denbighshire develop healthy father-child relationships, so their children can continue to live safely at home within the family.

The call has gone out to health visitors, midwives, social services, GPs and other agencies to refer fathers for the free programme. Fathers can also refer themselves directly. The Conwy programme will launch on 2 July in Llandudno Junction, and the Denbighshire programme will start on 24 July in Rhyl. Each comprises 17 sessions.

Caring Dads is run by the domestic abuse support service Gorwel, partnered with Caring Dads Canada. Gorwel is managed by housing association Gr?pCynefin.

The Conwy programme will launch on 2 July in Llandudno Junction, and the Denbighshire programme will start on 24 July in Rhyl. Each comprises 17 sessions.

Programme leader, therapeutic social worker Paul Jones, said participants so far had ranged from a first-time father aged 17, to a father in his 60s. He said: “They come from across the social spectrum. Participants have included a homeless man and a university-educated, professionally-qualified father. In our latest cohort, a total of 26 men were referred, whose behaviours were impacting 48 children and 22 women.”

Caring Dads aims to increase participants’ awareness of attitudes, beliefs and behaviours that form father-child relationships, increase their responsibility for abusive and neglectful behaviour and develop awareness of child-centred fathering.

Paul added: “Obviously the safety and welfare of the children is paramount, but you cannot ignore the fact that it can cost £1,000 per week to keep one child in care, and for a child with special requirements it can be between £3,000 and £4,000 per week.”