Why Dad Matters? 

Every baby deserves strong, loving relationships from the very beginning - and that includes a secure bond with their dad. But too often, fathers are left out of perinatal care and early years support, despite their vital role in their baby’s development. 

Dad Matters exists to change that. By supporting dads to feel informed, involved, and emotionally connected, we help babies thrive - right from the start. Through early engagement, peer support, and partnership with professionals, we strengthen the relationships that matter most in a baby’s life. 

Delivered by local Home-Starts across the UK, Dad Matters is: 
- Part of the Home-Start UK network (175 local charities) 
- Led by trained staff and volunteers in your community 
- Integrated with Family Hubs, health teams, and maternity services 

Because when we support dads, we support babies - and build stronger families from day one. 

What we offer (through local Home-Start delivery) 

Universal engagement - Our local Home-Starts meet dads where they are - in hospitals, antenatal clinics, parks, and children’s centres. In the last year alone, local Home-Starts reached over 13,500 dads through universal Dad Matters engagement. 

One-to-One peer support - Trained peer supporters - often dads themselves - offer personal support through local Home-Starts. Nearly 800 dads accessed this targeted support last year, thanks to local delivery and trusted relationships. 

Workshops and groups - Local Home-Starts offer dad-specific groups, Walk ‘n’ Talks, antenatal prep, and emotional wellbeing sessions - all grounded in the practical, non-judgemental approach Home-Start is so well known for. 

Professional Integration - Home-Start’s deep local partnerships allow Dad Matters to work within NHS trusts, Family Hubs, and parenting frameworks - connecting dads to wider family support services at the right time and helping services to improve their own offers for dads. 

What makes Dad Matters unique? 

Dad Matters is powered by Home-Start - and that’s what makes it unique. It recognises that the best way to support babies is to support the people who care for them - including their dads. By strengthening early relationships between fathers and their babies, Dad Matters improves outcomes for the whole family. 

Home-Start UK has been able to carry out an initial evaluation into the reach and impact of Dad Matters projects to date, which shows that over 40,000 dads have been supported through universal engagement since 2017 and almost 2,000 dads through one-to-one support. 77% reported improving parent-infant relationship knowledge and 84% reporting improved wellbeing. Dad Matters training has been delivered to over 15,000 professionals to build trust, increase referrals and encourage Dad-inclusive practice. 

Download the report here

Family-integrated, not isolated 

Dad Matters works with dads as part of the family unit. It’s not a bolt-on or separate service - it’s embedded in Home-Start’s whole-family support model. Supporting dads means babies benefit from more stable, nurturing environments right from the start. 

Local delivery, national consistency 

Every Dad Matters project is delivered by local Home-Start teams who understand their communities and the families within them. These local insights are backed by national guidance, ensuring all dads, and their babies, receive consistent, quality support, wherever they live. 

Proactive, relational approach 

Rather than expecting dads to find support, Dad Matters reaches out to them - in the places they already are. By building trust and connection early, we help dads feel more confident and included in their baby’s care, strengthening those crucial early bonds. 

Peer support with purpose 

Support is delivered by trained staff and volunteers, often dads themselves, who walk alongside other fathers during the first 1001 days. When dads are supported and empowered, babies benefit from stronger emotional connections and more responsive care. 

Embedded in systems, not separate from them 

Dad Matters works within NHS services, Family Hubs, and local authorities - not around them. By improving how services engage with dads, we help ensure that babies grow up in families where both parents are seen, supported, and able to thrive. 

By supporting dads, we support babies - strengthening early relationships, reducing risks, and helping every child get the best possible start in life. 

Find Dad Matters in your area 

Dad Matters is delivered locally by Home-Start teams across the UK - each project tailored to meet local community needs, while following the same values and evidence-based approach.

Find Your Local Dad Matters project 
Contact the National Team