Directory of Research

All research and evidence on NICCO is reviewed using a Quality Assessment Tool (QAT) developed by the University of Huddersfield and Barnardo's.

Research and evidence is assessed in four key areas: Methodological Quality, Child-Centredness, Relevance to Policy and Strategy, and Relevance to Practice with offender's children. This ensures that items on the NICCO website are as useful as possible to academics, practitioners, commissioners and other professionals. For more information about the development of the QAT or to review research in order to list it on NICCO, please see the QAT webpage where you can download the Tool, Guidebook and a short step-by-step 'How To' document. Please contact us to submit quality assessed research on to NICCO.

Click on the icons to see a full list of items which have been awarded a standard icon or icon+ (for items which have scored particularly highly) in each key area:

This article provides a summary of an evaluation of a parenting programme introduced in women's correctional facilities in New South Wales, Australia. Mothering at a Distance (MAAD) aimed to provide parenting education and support to mothers in custody in order to guard against the intergenerational cycle of crime. The programme consisted of an orientation programme for mothers upon entry into the corrective services system, a supported play programme, a closed therapeutic mothers'...
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You will need to register for SCIE Social Care Online to read the whole of this article. This review presents a synthesis of literature relating to the effects of paternal imprisonment upon infant mental health. The review focusses on father involvement, the effect of attachment relationships on infant mental health, and the role of the health visitor. Findings suggest that sudden paternal absence can be detrimental to infant mental health and the reviewer suggests that health visitor...
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This report details recommended changes to improve the experience for children visiting prisons. Based on interviews with mothers and children who visit male prisons, the recommendations are intended to make prison visits as positive as possible for the children and young people involved. Examples of best practice are included throughout the report, as well as a focus on highlighting the concerns of the affected children and families. The report is largely organised according to the six... Click here
From a wider study on the mental health, well-being and resilience of children of imprisoned parents (The Coping Project), this paper presents findings from 122 stakeholder consultations in England, Germany, Romania, and Sweden. Despite significant differences in prison systems and service provision, common issues were raised across the four countries. Prominent themes included: restrictions on regular contact with the imprisoned parent posing a threat to even strong parent-child...
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This Prison Reform Trust discussion paper considers the sentencing of women with children and provides a number of proposals intended to ensure children are taken into account when it comes to sentencing decisions for mothers. It begins with a summary of these proposals, then gives a contextual overview of the sentencing of women, looks at mothers and their children affected by the criminal justice system, existing guidance in England and Wales with an account of inconsistent practice,...
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This unpublished paper is based on qualitative research conducted as part of an evaluation of HMP Styal's Positive Parenting Programmes. It seeks to highlight some of the learning points from a previous study such as how mother and child relationships can be maintained via the Positive Parenting course and mediation. The literature review briefly explores the numbers of, specific challenges for, and needs of mothers in prison and subsequently, their children. The basis for the Positive...
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