Supporting dads to promote a safer, stronger family environment

The Caring Dads program aims to improve the safety and wellbeing of children. The program helps fathers who have exposed their children to domestic and family violence to build a discrepancy between what they are doing and what is child-centered parenting, and equip them with techniques to become child-centered dads, while also fostering positive relationships in the family home. The program is based on the recognition of the impact that Dad has on the family ecology and harm caused by his abusive behaviour.  It aims to increase the safety and wellbeing of children and mothers by helping fathers to recognise the impact of their abusive behaviour, stop that behaviour, and become child-centred, instead of parent-centred.  

Caring Dads is a group program that runs one night a week for 17 weeks. In each two-hour session, you will work with other fathers and group facilitators through topics that prompt you to think about your relationships with children and adults, who you want to be as a father, and steps to help you get there.

Caring Dads promotes transparency and accountability. While you are engaged in the program, we will work with professionals who are involved with your family through planned meetings that include you. The aim is to help Dads have a stronger relationship with their children and others who care for them.
Caring Dads is for fathers living in the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Ipswich and Toowoomba regions.

Who can access the Caring Dads Program?

Caring Dads is available to fathers living in the following areas:

• Sunshine Coast
• Moreton Bay
• Ipswich
• Toowoomba

Is Caring Dads for you (or someone you care about)?

• Are you a father, stepfather, grandfather or someone who plays a fathering role?
• Do you worry about how angry you get with your children?
• Do you criticise or blame your children’s mother in front of your children?
• Do you feel like your children intentionally annoy you?
• Is there violence in the home between you, your partner, or others adults and/or children?
• Do you ever feel like you interrogate your children about what goes on at their mother’s house? 
• Do you ever complain to your children about how their mother is spending child support?
• Are you working with a professional who thinks this program might help you?

If you answered yes to some of the questions above, Caring Dads might be the right program for you (or someone you care about).

Get in touch

To enquire about participating in the Caring Dads Program, or to refer an individual to the program, please get in touch with our team.

Email: MCSCaringDads@mercycs.org.au

Caboolture and Sunshine Coast enquiries
Phone: 07 5490 8000

Ipswich and Toowoomba enquiries
Phone: 07 3280 8000