• The rights and needs of the child are paramount, and children are at the core of all the work that the Fatherhood worker undertakes.
• All aspects of fatherhood are encompassed within the remit of the work. That is, in two parent families, lone parents, separated parents and step parents.
• All fathers’ work is undertaken within the context of positive parenting, including promoting non-physical alternatives to the traditional physical methods.
• Fatherhood work will operate within the context of, and alongside, Fforwm Magu Plant.
• Children in Wales will work to promote the interests of fathers as they relate to the rights and needs of their children, using the variety of routes that they employ to promote any policy or practice issues.
• Promote father’s position in parenting as distinct and different to mothers in the context of parenting.
• All fathers’ work should be inclusive and sensitive to issues of equality, e.g. BME, disabled children, children in need, children from same sex relationships, and children from co-habiting couples.

These values reflect those expressed in Articles 9, 12 and 18 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The kind of gender stereotyping which sees mothers as the main carers for children and young people is still prevalent here in Wales. It is only when fathers generally have brought about a significant cultural change in the way that we as a society bring up our children, and have become more involved with their children, that the courts will adopt a more flexible position in separation cases. This change is already taking place, almost a third of all childcare in the UK today is undertaken by fathers, and Children in Wales is very much in the vanguard of challenging many of these gender stereotypes. All fathers, not just those in separation cases, should be offered, not only the opportunities, but the necessary skills to become more involved in the upbringing of their children.