The Chief Executive of the Midlands based learning disability and autism charity, Sunfield, has been invited to chair a new national research project which will look into the needs of fathers of children with learning disabilities.

Professor Barry Carpenter OBE Chief Executive & Principal of Sunfield School has over 25 years experience in Special Education, and is himself the father of a young woman Kate, who has Downs Syndrome. As a lecturer at Westminster College Oxford, he conducted the I F project (Involving Fathers) which set the research agenda that this new project will follow up.

Recognising Fathers is a 15 month project being founded by the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities in London www.learningdisabilities.org.uk. It aims to promote ‘father friendly’ practices across employers as well as schools and services catering for children and adults with learning disabilities. For example encouraging employers to recognise that children with learning disabilities have more clinical appointments than other children, and for the employer to be flexible around the fathers work pattern, enabling him (an not just the mother) to attend these often anxious and difficult appointments.

Sunfield www.sunfield-school.org.uk has a strong track record in engaging fathers in the education and care of their disabled children. Through its ‘SunDads’ group it offers annually ‘Dads only’ workshops, explaining topics such as housing, sexual development and friendship.

Professor Carpenter said:

‘This project is very timely. In this 21st Century we need to define what it means to be the father of a disabled child in our Society. The voice of fathers, engaged in this complex and challenging task, needs to be heard. Some services focus solely on the mother, which is too great an emotional burden for her. Fathers want in the main, to offer direct support to their disabled child, but barriers are often put in their way preventing them from doing this. Recognising Fathers hopes to offer practical advice on how services and communities can become more father friendly in supporting the Dads of Disabled Children.’

Professor Barry Carpenter can be contacted on BarryC@sunfield.worcs.sch.uk tel:01562 882253.
SUNFIELD is an Independent Residential School for Children with Severe and Complex Learning Needs
WOODMAN LANE, CLENT, STOURBRIDGE, WEST MIDLANDS, DY9 9PB
Tel: 01562 882253
Fax: 01562 883856
Registered charity no. 527552