As featured in the BBC documentary ‘Changing the game for young men’ with Sir Gareth Southgate
Supporting Year 7 Boys Growing Up Without a Consistent Father Figure
LADPODs is a pioneering school-based early intervention programme developed by Lads Need Dads for Year 7 boys who are growing up without a consistent father figure or positive male role model.
The transition from primary to secondary school can be a challenging time for many young people. For some boys, the absence of a consistent father figure can add additional pressures, affecting confidence, emotional wellbeing, relationships, behaviour and their sense of belonging.
Delivered by trained school staff, LADPODs provides a safe, supportive space where boys can explore emotions, build confidence, develop resilience and strengthen relationships with trusted adults and peers.
Developed from over ten years of frontline experience supporting boys and families, LADPODs equips schools with a practical, evidence-informed approach to supporting boys who may otherwise remain unseen.
Why It Matters
Growing up without a consistent father figure does not determine a boy’s future. Many boys go on to become remarkable men, loving partners and devoted fathers.
However, research and lived experience suggest that some boys may face additional challenges relating to emotional wellbeing, self-esteem, belonging, behaviour, relationships and engagement with school.
Some boys have never known their father, while others may have experienced family separation, bereavement, imprisonment, inconsistent contact, conflict, or a father who was physically present but emotionally unavailable. Every boy’s experience is different, but many benefit from having a safe space where they feel understood, supported and able to talk openly about their experiences.
Many of these boys are not identified through traditional measures of disadvantage and can easily fall between existing support services. LADPODs provides an opportunity to identify and support boys early, before difficulties become more entrenched.
By creating a safe space, positive relationships and opportunities for reflection, LADPODs helps boys develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive both in school and beyond.
In-school setting
Group work
Growth & Wellbeing
How LADPODs Works
- 12-week structured programme.
- Delivered within the school day.
- Designed specifically for Year 7 boys.
- Small groups of up to 8 boys.
- Delivered by trained school staff.
- Supported by a comprehensive facilitator toolkit and resources.
- Weekly sessions focused on emotional literacy, confidence, resilience, communication, belonging and positive relationships.
- Ongoing support and guidance from the Lads Need Dads team.
Each participating school receives training, resources and support to enable sustainable delivery within their own setting.
Programme Outcomes
LADPODs helps boys to:
- Develop greater emotional awareness and emotional literacy.
- Build confidence and self-belief.
- Improve emotional regulation and resilience.
- Strengthen relationships with peers and trusted adults.
- Increase their sense of belonging within school.
- Develop positive communication and conflict-resolution skills.
- Improve engagement with learning and school life.
- Feel seen, understood and supported.
Schools report improvements in engagement, emotional literacy, confidence, relationships and overall wellbeing among participating boys.
Benefits for Schools
LADPODs is designed to complement and strengthen existing pastoral provision.
The programme:
- Supports vulnerable boys during the transition to secondary school.
- Strengthens whole-school approaches to wellbeing and inclusion.
- Provides a targeted early intervention for boys who may be at increased risk of disengagement.
- Builds staff confidence in supporting boys with complex emotional needs.
- Creates stronger connections between pupils and trusted adults.
- Provides measurable outcomes and impact reporting.
- Leaves schools with the skills, resources and confidence to continue delivery long-term.
Supporting School Priorities
LADPODs aligns with the PSHE statutory framework across Health and Wellbeing, Relationships, and Living in the Wider World.
It supports schools in evidencing impact around behaviour, attitudes, personal development, wellbeing and inclusion, while many participating boys are eligible for Pupil Premium funding.
Each school receives a comprehensive end-of-programme evaluation report suitable for senior leaders, governors and wider school reporting.
The programme has been piloted in mainstream secondary schools and successfully adapted for delivery within a specialist MLD setting.
Register Your School’s Interest
Thank you for your interest in LADPODs.
Following recent national media coverage, including the BBC documentary featuring Sir Gareth Southgate, we are experiencing increased interest from schools across the UK.
Please complete the form below and a member of the Lads Need Dads team will contact you to discuss the programme, availability, training and next steps.
Due to increased demand, response times may be slightly longer than usual. We appreciate your patience and look forward to speaking with you.
Be Part of the Change
By becoming a LADPODs school, you will be joining a growing movement of schools committed to ensuring that boys growing up without a consistent father figure are seen, understood and supported.