Caring Dads program: Helping fathers value their children – Three site independent evaluation 2017-2020

Abstract

This report presents the findings of a three-site independent evaluation of the Caring Dads program in Victoria, Australia, conducted between 2017 and 2020. The program aims to engage fathers who have used violence to improve their parenting practices, take responsibility for their actions, and reduce harm to their children. The evaluation, led by the University of Melbourne, used a mixed-methods approach to assess program effectiveness, retention rates, and long-term behavioural change among participants. Key findings indicate that while some fathers demonstrated improvements in child-centred parenting and reductions in abusive behaviours, sustained change remained challenging without ongoing intervention. The report highlights the importance of practitioner training, system-wide monitoring, and continued program adaptation to enhance its impact. The evaluation provides recommendations for integrating Caring Dads into broader family violence service systems and improving program sustainability.