Course overview

Enhance your professional skills and learn proven approaches to engage dads, father-figures, and families with confidence and impact.

Fathers and father-figures play a critical role in children’s development and family well-being. Yet, many dads encounter barriers when accessing services or feel excluded from programs designed to support families.

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to recognise and respond to the unique needs of dads. You’ll develop strategies to build father-inclusive practice in your workplace and learn simple, practical ways to engage dads more effectively. The training draws on national research and lived experience from father-focused programs across Australia.

What you’ll learn

By completing this workshop, you will be able to:

• Understand the concept and purpose of critical incident debriefing, including common barriers to the process
• Recognise and categorise different types of critical incidents that may require debriefing
• Facilitate debriefing sessions by setting the tone, asking the right questions, and managing group dynamics
• Apply practical techniques for psychological first aid during debriefings
• Promote reflective practice to help individuals and teams process events and identify strengths
• Identify when further referral or specialist support may be needed

Who should attend

This workshop is designed for a range of workers in community organisations, social services, schools, or businesses who want to strengthen their ability to support the needs of fathers, father-figures, and families.

It is ideal for professionals and staff seeking practical strategies to create more dad-friendly programs and services, build stronger engagement with fathers, and promote positive family relationships.

Course structure

About the presenters

Shaun Tonkes is a highly experienced social worker and Parenting Support Practitioner. For the past five years, he has worked with the Salvation Army, delivering father-focused programs including Dads Tuning in to Kids and Baby Makes 3. Prior to this, Shaun spent seven years living and working with remote communities in the Northern Territory as a Team Leader of Intensive Family Support.

He currently delivers Relationships Australia Victoria’s Support for Fathers DadStuff program, along with Working with Dads training for professionals and service providers. Shaun is also involved in national fatherhood research and practice, collaborating with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and Tweddle on the Working Out Dads program.

His unique blend of frontline family work, program delivery, and community engagement ensures participants benefit from practical insights grounded in research and real-world experience. 

Enrolment and course access

When you register, you will be directed to our secure payment gateway to finalise your enrolment. Once payment is received, a new account will be created for you in our Learning Management System (Moodle), where course details and resources will be available.

Please note:

• Registrations close 48 hours before the event
• Workshops must be paid for at least 2 business days before the training date
• If paying by invoice, proof of payment must be provided at least 24 hours before the workshop

See our Training Workshops Cancellation Statement (PDF, 1MB) for full policy details.

Technical requirements

To participate in the online workshop, you’ll need access to:

• A desktop or laptop computer
• Reliable internet connection
• Headphones (recommended)
• Microphone and speakers
• A built-in or external webcam

Contact us

For further details or questions, please contact our Centre for Learning and Innovation:

• Phone: (03) 8573 2222
• Email: [email protected]