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The BBC has reported that Children's Secretary Ed Balls wants firms to be aware fathers may need to take special leave when a child is sick or to attend a school event and is calling on employers to make more time for fathers, so they can be more involved in their children's lives.

The call comes as a poll conducted by ICM of 500 fathers, shows three quarters want information relevant to them as well as mothers.

The poll also showed that:
• 77% want public services to open longer so they can learn about and contribute to their child's welfare.
• 77% would like to see mothers and fathers equally involved in parenting rather than one being the main carer.
• Only 41% were happy with their involvement with schools, while 74% thought information on children's services was more geared towards mothers than fathers.

Research suggests that if fathers are involved in their children's lives at the age of seven, they will do better at school.

The ICM poll is part of the DCSF 'Think Fathers' campaign which aims to encourage public services to recognise the role fathers can play in children's lives. It suggests that today's fathers want to play an increasing role in their children's health and education but find it difficult to do so.

Adrienne Burgess, research manager at think-tank Fatherhood Institute, which commissioned the poll, said: "The fact that the younger generation of Dads are more involved with services yet less happy with the level of their involvement and with the way services treat them, doesn't mean services are getting worse: it means that the expectations of today's fathers are changing.

"They're more ambitious to play a greater role, and more upset and undermined when they're sidelined. Services, and employers, need to take this new mood among Dads on board so they can be fully hands on with their children.

"Fathers want it; mothers want it; children want it. And society needs it."

Mr Balls is due to chair a summit to discuss fatherhood at Westminster on Tuesday morning.