The conference "Getting it Right for Families?" will see the launch of new guidelines for including fathers in early years services. The guidelines, which have been commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government, consider a number of the issues affecting the involvement of fathers in services, and provide a range of case studies showing what has worked well.

As well as the former international cricketer, delegates will hear from speakers including Jane Hutt, the Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, and Keith Towler, the Children's Commissioner for Wales.

The conference will be to bring together policy makers and professionals to look at family support policy in Wales. It will focus on the information provided to families and how this can be improved.

The conference is being organised jointly by Children in Wales and the Family Information Services Wales.

Notes:

1.       The 'Getting it Right for Families?' Conference will take place on Thursday 23rd October 2008, 9.45am-4pm at the Royal Welsh showground, Builth Wells

2.       The guidelines "Including Fathers in Early Years Services: Positive Practice for Professionals" can be obtained from Children in Wales, Children in Wales, 25 Windsor Place, Cardiff, Tel: 029 2034 2434.  They will be available on the Children in Wales website  www.childreninwales.org.uk/publications from 23 October 2008.

3.       Children in Wales is the national umbrella organisation for voluntary, statutory and professional organisations and individuals who work with children and young people in Wales. www.childreninwales.org.uk
 

4.       The National Association of Family Information Services (NAFIS) is a registered charity that supports, links and promotes Family Information Services (FISs) in Great Britain. www.familyinformationservices.org.uk

For further information regarding this press release contact Lucy Akhtar or Tony Ivens : Children in Wales, 25 Windsor Place, Cardiff, Tel: 029 2034 2434, E-mail: lucy.akhtar@childreninwales.org.uk  or  tony.ivens@childreninwales.org.uk