Other News In Brief

Wiggins Wins BBC Award

Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins has won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

The 32-year-old cyclist was presented with the trophy by the Duchess of Cambridge.

Wiggins picked up the most public votes after becoming the first Briton to win the Tour in July.

Call To Support Teen Dads

A report by the Family Strategic Partnership, warns that a culture shift is needed in ‘mother-centred’ family services which often treat dads as invisible.

Currently services across the board, from pregnancy care to housing support, are driving fathers apart from their children through a 'culture where fathers are not valued'.

Jonathan Rallings, Barnardo’s Assistant Director of Policy and Research, commented: "For too long dads have been treated either as optional extras or completely invisible by mother-centred family services.

"Young dads want to play their part in bringing up their children. However, they all too often receive the message that they're worthless from services that ignore or marginalise them from the point of pregnancy onwards.

"To be properly involved in their children’s lives, young dads need the same kind of support as teen mums. This includes easily accessible parenting advice, help with housing, and special timetabling for training and study.

"We are calling on local authorities to help lead a cultural shift in family care, by introducing practices across their services that universally support young dads’ journeys into fatherhood."

(CD)