Our Partner
The Centre is delivered by Barnardo’s in partnership with His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
This week millions of children across the country are starting a new school year and it is estimated that at least 200,000 of them may be affected by having a parent in prison. Schools can offer an enormous amount of...
This document contains a poster and two page briefing about children of offenders and how NICCO can assist schools to support them.
As school staff often spend more waking time with children of offenders than any other individual or agency, they are in a...
This handbook is a practical resource to help schools support the children of prisoners.
The aim of the handbook is to support all school staff to better address the needs of this group of children. The handbook covers the main research and gives examples of good practice. However, the emphasis is on practical ways to support children affected by imprisonment, and it includes a...
This handbook is a practical resource to help Welsh schools support the children of prisoners.
The aim of the handbook is to support all school staff to better address the needs of this group of children. The handbook covers the main research and gives examples of good practice. However, the emphasis is on practical ways to support children affected by imprisonment, and it includes...
This briefing, developed by POPS gives an over view of the important, international COPING project and highlights aspects which are relevant to UK Schools' involvement with Children of Prisoners e.g. identification, training, reducing stigma and support needs. Two specific...
They offer support and information to families affected by imprisonment.
As of June 2018 Families Outside has updated its Guidance and Resources for Schools in Supporting Children Impacted by...
Families Outside have developed a project which supports fathers in prison to be more closely involved in their children's education.
The project means that dads receive reports and updates directly from the school about their child's school progress and allows Families Outside to help teachers support families. The project has a very clear procedure to ensure that all parties...
Families Outside provides twilight sessions for school staff across Scotland with the aim of raising awareness about the needs of students with a parent in prison, and providing insight into how schools can provide support.
The twilight sessions give teachers and other school professionals the opportunity to visit a prison, and walk the journey of children and families visiting their...
You need to be a member of Parenting UK to access this briefing.
A briefing developed by APOF aimed at School staff to encourage good practice in supporting the children of prisoners. The briefing contains useful information regarding the issues children of prisoners' face, a list of relevant contacts, training, resources and guidance about the most appropriate actions for those...
This leaflet, for professionals working in schools, provides information and advice to help better support prisoners' children and their families. It includes information and key facts about the impact of imprisonment on children and discusses some of the emotions children may be feeling. The leaflet also suggests ways that staff and schools can support children; such as creating a...
This leaflet, developed by NEPACS, is aimed at schools in the North East of England. The leaflet provides key facts about how parental imprisonment can affect school aged children, a list of key issues to consider when supporting the children of prisoners, contact details of prison visitor centres in the North East, as well as details of support services and resources that schools can...
It is widely acknowledged that schools can play a key role in supporting the children of prisoners.
This peer reviewed paper reports on research which explores the support provision offered in schools to children who experience parental imprisonment. Interviews with school representatives, stakeholders, parents and children, illustrate the support available, issues that arise and ways...
You need access to Springer Link to view this article in the Journal of Child and Family studies, or to buy or rent it.
This peer reviewed psychological research from the US applies mixed methods to decipher key themes related to the imprisonment of primary care givers. The participants were a group of school aged children who were enrolled in a government funded mentoring programme....
Children who experience parental imprisonment are more likely to have difficulties at school, this peer reviewed and open access article reports on research into support for children of prisoners in schools in one local authority.
Data from interviews with head teachers, stakeholders, parents and children reveal the different realities of having a parent or close relative inside. The...
This applied psychology book notes the problems that children who experience traumatic loss (such as losing a parent to prison), trauma, abuse and neglect may face at school.
These issues include inability to respond to behaviour modification techniques and failure to thrive in the system. The author uses attachment theory to develop and put forward new, practice based methods for...
This research refers to the US but can be learned from by people from any country.
The prison population in the United States has increased significantly over the years. Research shows that the children of prisoners experience academic and social challenges. This article argues that professional school counselors are in an ideal position to provide theory-based interventions to...
You will need a log in for Optimus Education to access this article.
This article explores what educational support can be put in place for children of prisoners at school, and what role SENCOs can play. The article explores the issues of identification, school support for these children, communication between the school and imprisoned parents and implications for school policy and...
This article discusses the role of schools in supporting children with a parent in prison, drawing on interviews with headteachers from a wider study.
The article explores issues surrounding children affected by imprisonment that are specific to a school setting, such as parents not informing the school, changes in children's behaviour, the school's central place in the...
This piece of research has its roots in direct work with three children in an Edinburgh high school, who were struggling at school, as a result of their mother's long-term prison sentence.
It addresses issues around why schools are generally unaware of which children are affected by imprisonment, how staff can actively support children and their carers through the school system,...
This week millions of children across the country are starting a new school year and it is estimated that at least 200,000 of them may be affected by having a parent in prison. Schools can offer an enormous amount of...
“Offering a Helping Hand” is a collaboration between Spurgeons and Southampton Law School.
The booklet has been created for relatives of people serving an Indeterminate Sentence for Public Protection (IPP) in England and Wales, and other people supporting them.
The booklet can be accessed via the link below:
It explores some of the issues young people may face throughout the offender journey such as, keeping in touch, telling friends, and what to do at school. It includes quotes from young people who have a parent in prison, and a list of useful helplines and organisations.
Please download a copy...
This guidance has been written to assist all professionals who work with children who have a parent or significant family member in prison and to encourage a strategic approach to meeting the needs of...
Working closely with children, young people, parents, schools, community support and the prison estate across south Wales, the Invisible Walls Accord Service Toolkit has been developed to:
• Increase the confidence of teaching and support staff to recognise and support families affected by parental imprisonment
• Provide resources for enabling effective support via a...
This document contains a poster and two page briefing about children of offenders and how NICCO can assist schools to support them.
As school staff often spend more waking time with children of offenders than any other individual or agency, they are in a...
This guidance, primarily aimed at education professionals but accessible to multiagency professionals, works in line with Every Child Matters and the 2004 Children's Act.
It aims to raise awareness of the impact of family imprisonment on children and looks at how to meet their needs. The 13 page document includes sections which cover: information sharing and confidentiality,...
Brighton Oasis Project works with and helps to maximise the potential of women, children and young people who have been affected by substance misuse. This short case study...
Introduction: 'Father Figures' is a parenting project set in HMP/YOI Brinsford in partnership between NOMs, Staffordshire County Council, HMP Brinsford, and Safe Ground. Young fathers work with an experienced facilitator to consider their relationships with partners, ex-partners, and families. Participants explore ways of communicating and build on strengths through...
Background: Jenny* is now 20 years old. Eleven years ago when she was 9 she was forced, along with her mum and baby brother to leave the city where all her family and friends lived. This...
This case study demonstrates the impact of the direct work done with one family by a community-based POPS Family Support Worker.
Background: Aged 17 years Paul* was issued a Police Final Warning for causing criminal damage to his mother's house. His mother Marianne* was reluctant to press charges, not wanting to...
These worksheets are for children to complete during the time of a family member's imprisonment in order to explore how they are feeling about a situation and what they understand.
They can be completed by children with the support of professionals or family members/carers. The worksheets aim to address children;s feelings through a variety of activities such as poetry, drawing...
Here children and young people can access answers to common questions surrounding the criminal justice system and the impact this has on them. Advice includes what to tell...
This handbook is a practical resource to help schools support the children of prisoners.
The aim of the handbook is to support all school staff to better address the needs of this group of children. The handbook covers the main research and gives examples of good practice. However, the emphasis is on practical ways to support children affected by imprisonment, and it includes a...
This handbook is a practical resource to help Welsh schools support the children of prisoners.
The aim of the handbook is to support all school staff to better address the needs of this group of children. The handbook covers the main research and gives examples of good practice. However, the emphasis is on practical ways to support children affected by imprisonment, and it includes...
This comprehensive Barnardo's i-HOP guide is a resource for all community health professionals including midwives, health visitors, school nurses and many more.
It aims to inform and help develop their work with the children and families of offenders. It includes an introduction to children affected by parental imprisonment including who they are, the general impact of parental...
Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) is a European-wide network which encourages innovative perspectives and practice to ensure that children with a parent in prison enjoy their rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and that action is taken to enable well-being and healthy development.
The COPE network, previously known as...
This briefing, developed by POPS gives an overview of the important, international COPING project and highlights aspects which are relevant to UK Prisons in their involvement with Prisoners' children e.g. direct contact with a parent inside, age appropriate activities,...
This briefing, developed by POPS gives an over view of the important, international COPING project and highlights aspects which are relevant to UK Schools' involvement with Children of Prisoners e.g. identification, training, reducing stigma and support needs. Two specific...
This document, produced by Gloucestershire County Council, provides guidance on how schools and educational establishments in Gloucestershire should support children with a family member in prison.
The guidelines aim to raise awareness of the needs of children with a parent in prison and ensure positive outcomes and educational achievement for these children. The document also aims to...
This guide by POPS is aimed at coordinators, managers and strategic planners. It was funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and offers guidance and basic principles on how to improve family ties via Family Link Support Services and Family Focused Visits. It considers 10 questions to run through before setting up either,...
This protocol, developed for the London borough of Kingston with Kingston Local Safeguarding Children Board, is intended for use by staff across adult and children's services working with families impacted by the imprisonment of a significant family member.
The protocol aims to raise awareness of the needs of families affected by imprisonment, secure positive outcomes and equal...
It is a 'tool-kit' to enable and encourage professionals to better support and further understand the issues prisoners'...
They offer support and information to families affected by imprisonment.
As of June 2018 Families Outside has updated its Guidance and Resources for Schools in Supporting Children Impacted by...
The guidelines aim to raise awareness and understanding of these children's needs, promote social inclusion and...
The guidelines aim to raise awareness and understanding of the impact of imprisonment on children's needs, promote social inclusion and develop a consistent approach across the local authority. The guidelines provide information around the impact of...
On 28 February 2018 Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service the Ministry of Justice and Third sector partners hosted the first National Family and Significant Other Conference, at the Prison Service College; Newbold Revel.
The purpose of the conference was to assist prison Governors and family leaders to develop local Family Strategies.
Governors and Directors of...
This document contains statutory guidance for schools and colleges in order that they maintain a child centred and coordinated approach to safeguarding.
The NICCO website is referenced in the document for supporting children with a parent in prison.
This clip of an interview on BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat features a 17 year old girl discussing the impact of having her stepdad sent to prison when she was 14 years. She shares her experiences of the initial shock she felt, how it affected her mother, having to help out with her young siblings and what it's like for her at school. This resource could be shared with children and families...
This 20 page well illustrated booklet from Families Outside is written from the perspective of a young person whose Dad is in prison. It is written in the style of diary, going through the thoughts and feelings associated with finding out about his Dad's imprisonment, keeping it a secret at school, telling teachers and friends and going...
'My Hidden Sentence' is a drama developed by Unique Voice and inspired by true stories. It focuses on the experiences of two young people who have a parent in prison, exploring the impact the sentences have on their friendships, school life and the community in very different ways. Unique Voice can bring this drama to schools in the form of assemblies or workshops with young people...
He recalls when his home was raided in the early morning by police when he was 12. He then goes on to describe the uncertainty, confusion and worry he felt at school that day to then be told when he got home that his Dad had...
This policy document, produced for schools, aims to ensure commitment from educational settings to be aware of offenders children's needs.
It includes spaces within the text to input the name of the school, dates of endorsement of the Policy by Peterborough SCB and the school governerning body and date for a review of the policy. The document clearly lays out strategies and tools...
Families Outside have developed a project which supports fathers in prison to be more closely involved in their children's education.
The project means that dads receive reports and updates directly from the school about their child's school progress and allows Families Outside to help teachers support families. The project has a very clear procedure to ensure that all parties...
Families Outside provides twilight sessions for school staff across Scotland with the aim of raising awareness about the needs of students with a parent in prison, and providing insight into how schools can provide support.
The twilight sessions give teachers and other school professionals the opportunity to visit a prison, and walk the journey of children and families visiting their...
This 2 minute video clip about the Barnardo's Erlestoke prison champion from Dilton Marsh primary school was part of the BBC Points West news programme. The reporter, Erlestoke's prison Governor and the schools champion briefly talk about stigma, intergenerational offending, poor school outcomes and identification of the children of prisoners.
View this news piece about...
In 2004, the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) set out seven pathways in their National Reducing Re-offending Action Plan to provide a framework for working with offenders and providing services in relation to reducing reoffending. One of these pathways was Children and Families, along with Accommodation, Education, Training and Employment, Health, Drugs and Alcohol, Finance, Benefit...
Families Outside has produced a short video using the words of young people with a parent in prison.
Following some research on the role of schools in supporting families affected by imprisonment, Families Outside's Child and Family Support Manager was struck by how often children whose parents are in prison wanted to say to their teachers, 'Don't assume I'm going to...
Scottish organisation Families Outside have produced this interactive e-booklet full of guidance for schools in supporting children impacted by imprisonment. Although written for a Scottish audience, most of the resource is useful to practitoners from England, Wales and Northern Ireland also. The document is split up in into 6 main chapters; raising awareness and understanding needs,...
Somerset County Council have recognised children of prisoners as a vulnerable group in their Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) for 2016.
JSNAs are a statutory responsibility for all local government Health & Wellbeing Boards, bringing together information on regional patterns of health and social need in order to inform strategic priorities. The 'Somerset: Our...
This handy information sheet covers issues around what/how to tell a child whose close relative has gone to prison, as well as communicating with the school and the possibility of bullying. Useful for professionals as a summary and to pass on to a family member or carer.
See the Offenders' Families Helpline website for the entire range of their information sheets below:
You need to be a member of Parenting UK to access this briefing.
A briefing developed by APOF aimed at School staff to encourage good practice in supporting the children of prisoners. The briefing contains useful information regarding the issues children of prisoners' face, a list of relevant contacts, training, resources and guidance about the most appropriate actions for those...
This booklet offers information and guidance to health professionals including GPs, midwives, health visitors, school nurses, community nurses, occupational therapists and others who work in the health field so they can better support prisoners' families and children. Included is information about the impact of imprisonment on families, a summary of what health professionals can do to...
This leaflet, for professionals working in schools, provides information and advice to help better support prisoners' children and their families. It includes information and key facts about the impact of imprisonment on children and discusses some of the emotions children may be feeling. The leaflet also suggests ways that staff and schools can support children; such as creating a...
This leaflet, developed by NEPACS, is aimed at schools in the North East of England. The leaflet provides key facts about how parental imprisonment can affect school aged children, a list of key issues to consider when supporting the children of prisoners, contact details of prison visitor centres in the North East, as well as details of support services and resources that schools can...
The Lammy Review, chaired by David Lammy MP, is an independent report into the treatment of, and effects on, BAME individuals in the CJS. The review highlights, in particular, the specific issues regarding the outcomes for children from BAME communities – as Lammy himself states:
‘My biggest concern is with the youth justice system’.
The review finds...
This illustrated book follows the story of Milly, and the challenges she faces when her Dad goes to prison.
When she discovers that her father is in prison she is angry and confused. Visiting the prison for the first time is daunting, but seeing her dad makes up for it all. A week later, she gets a surprise: a CD of stories that her father has recorded. Christmas comes and everyone at...
It is widely acknowledged that schools can play a key role in supporting the children of prisoners.
This peer reviewed paper reports on research which explores the support provision offered in schools to children who experience parental imprisonment. Interviews with school representatives, stakeholders, parents and children, illustrate the support available, issues that arise and ways...
You need access to Springer Link to view this article in the Journal of Child and Family studies, or to buy or rent it.
This peer reviewed psychological research from the US applies mixed methods to decipher key themes related to the imprisonment of primary care givers. The participants were a group of school aged children who were enrolled in a government funded mentoring programme....
Children who experience parental imprisonment are more likely to have difficulties at school, this peer reviewed and open access article reports on research into support for children of prisoners in schools in one local authority.
Data from interviews with head teachers, stakeholders, parents and children reveal the different realities of having a parent or close relative inside. The...
This applied psychology book notes the problems that children who experience traumatic loss (such as losing a parent to prison), trauma, abuse and neglect may face at school.
These issues include inability to respond to behaviour modification techniques and failure to thrive in the system. The author uses attachment theory to develop and put forward new, practice based methods for...
This research refers to the US but can be learned from by people from any country.
The prison population in the United States has increased significantly over the years. Research shows that the children of prisoners experience academic and social challenges. This article argues that professional school counselors are in an ideal position to provide theory-based interventions to...
You will need a log in for Optimus Education to access this article.
This article explores what educational support can be put in place for children of prisoners at school, and what role SENCOs can play. The article explores the issues of identification, school support for these children, communication between the school and imprisoned parents and implications for school policy and...
This article discusses the role of schools in supporting children with a parent in prison, drawing on interviews with headteachers from a wider study.
The article explores issues surrounding children affected by imprisonment that are specific to a school setting, such as parents not informing the school, changes in children's behaviour, the school's central place in the...
This piece of research has its roots in direct work with three children in an Edinburgh high school, who were struggling at school, as a result of their mother's long-term prison sentence.
It addresses issues around why schools are generally unaware of which children are affected by imprisonment, how staff can actively support children and their carers through the school system,...
Between 2015 and 2016 the Safer Somerset Partnership and Getset (Somerset Troubled Families and early help) jointly commissioned Barnardo's to support them in developing a strategic and practical response to supporting children affected by parental offending (CAPO) in their Local Authority. Barnardo's provided match funding to extend this provision across the other 4 Local...
National children's charity Barnardo's have worked with offenders' children and families for the past 20 years. Our services currently include:
Prison Visitors Centres
Barnardo’s provides information, support and guidance to children and families in prison visits centres across the UK. Specialist, trained workers and volunteers provide a...
This protocol developed by the Greater Manchester Safeguarding Partnership in partnership with Barnardo's builds on the Bolton Safeguarding Children Board's guidelines. This guidance has been written to assist all professionals who work with children who have a parent or significant family member in prison and to encourage a strategic approach to meeting the needs of this...
Barnardo's Essex CAPI Service (Further Information)
The Essex Children Affected by Parental Imprisonment (CAPI) Service has provided information and advice to professionals, and support to children, young people and their families who have been affected by a family member's involvement in the Criminal Justice System for many years.
The service...
This guidance, primarily aimed at education professionals but accessible to multiagency professionals, works in line with Every Child Matters and the 2004 Children's Act.
It aims to raise awareness of the impact of family imprisonment on children and looks at how to meet their needs. The 13 page document includes sections which cover: information sharing and confidentiality,...
Breaking Barriers is an early intervention service provided by
Brighton Oasis Project works with and helps to maximise the potential of women, children and young people who have been affected by substance misuse. This short case study highlights the cross cover between parental substance misuse and imprisonment and the ways that a Brighton Oasis therapist assisted a young person in managing the emotional impacts of these.
...Introduction ‘Father Figures’ is a parenting project set in HMP/YOI Brinsford in partnership between NOMs, Staffordshire County Council, HMP Brinsford, and Safe Ground. Young fathers work with an experienced facilitator to consider their relationships with partners, ex-partners, and families. Participants explore ways of communicating and build on strengths through one-to-one...
Children Heard and Seen is a charity which provides support for children with a parent in prison and their family in the community. Although the charity was founded in Oxfordshire, the support can be accessed nationally with a variety of tailored virtual and in person provision.
In 2019 Children Heard and Seen won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest...
Choices Consultancy Service (CCS) is a not-for-profit voluntary run organisation that assists offenders and their families through difficulties that may be incurred during their involvement in the criminal justice system.
Their aim is to support and advise offenders and their families to promote and enable positive change and maintain family ties where possible. Choices also offer...
Circle is a Scottish charity working at the heart of deprived communities across central Scotland.
Circle supports the most marginalised, vulnerable and difficult to engage children and families in order to improve their lives and promote their healthy potential and development. Circle's Families Affected by Imprisonment (FABI) Project supports mothers and fathers at risk of...
This protocol, developed for the London borough of Kingston with Kingston Local Safeguarding Children Board, is intended for use by staff across adult and children's services working with families impacted by the imprisonment of a significant family member. The protocol aims to; raise awareness of the needs of families affected by imprisonment, secure positive outcomes and equal...
Families First is an award winning initiative which responds to the impact of prison life on relationships. Through a variety of activities they educate families about values and personal relationships as part of the children and Families Pathway.
They aim to: -
Reduce Re-offending by maintaining and improving relationships between prisoners and their...
This document, produced by Gloucestershire County Council, provides guidance on how schools and educational establishments in Gloucestershire should support children with a family member in prison.
The guidelines aim to raise awareness of the needs of children with a parent in prison and ensure positive outcomes and educational achievement for these children. The document also aims to...
These guidelines have been developed by Buckinghamshire County Council to highlight to school staff and other staff working with children, the key issues for children with a family member in prison and the impact of this on their school and social life.
The guidelines aim to raise awareness and understanding of these children’s needs, promote social inclusion and equal...
This document provides guidance on how schools in Oxfordshire should support children with a family member in prison. The guidelines aim to raise awareness and understanding of the impact of imprisonment on children's needs, promote social inclusion and develop a consistent approach across the local authority. The guidelines provide information around the impact of imprisonment on a...
Invisible Lives
Launches New Service:-
Challenging Behaviour & Attitudes (CBA)
The Invisible Lives CBA service provides a whole family approach to support children (aged 8-19 years) and their families when there has been an adverse change in the child’s behaviour which may result in risk taking...
Khulisa is a small national charity that aims to break the cycle of crime and violence and develop stronger, safer communities.
Inspired by their sister charity in South Africa, Khulisa's programmes have a strong emphasis on developing emotional resilience, improving well-being and raising aspiration. They support longer-term outcomes including reduced offending, improved...
Lincolnshire Action Trust are a charity which aims to fulfill the "care, resettlement and rehabilitation of offenders, and those at risk of offending and their families and dependents".
They provide children and families services at HMP Hull, HMP Humber and IRC Morton Hall. The services involve facilitating child friendly visits, encouraging family visits, providing...
These are the family-led courses currently being delivered at HMP The Mount
Family Links
This...
Working across the UK, PSS is a social enterprise that seeks to help people get the most from life whether at home, in their family, in their health and well-being or within wider support networks. PSS work for people, with people and alongside people, and they have enabled the development of services such as Age Concern, Citizens Advice Bureau and Legal Aid.
There are four core areas...
This policy document, produced for schools, aims to ensure commitment from educational settings to be aware of offenders children's needs. It includes spaces within the text to input the name of the school, dates of endorsement of the Policy by Peterborough SCB and the school governerning body and date for a review of the policy.
The document clearly lays out strategies and tools...
Birmingham's Children of Prisoners Pledge is a scheme devised by the Birmingham Educational Service and Barnardo's Invisible Walls Birmingham, and supported by Birmingham City Council. The scheme encourages schools to sign up to the Pledge and make a commitment to support children affected by imprisonment. Schools in the local area are encouraged to sign up to the pledge, and by...
Background: The Frome Learning Partnership (FLP) is a cluster of seventeen schools in and around Frome (Somerset) working together for the benefit of children in all three phases of education (first, middle and upper schools, covering an age range of 4 to 18 years).
After staff from all seventeen schools attended an awareness raising session on 'children affected by parental...
This 2 minute video clip about the Barnardo's Erlestoke prison champion from Dilton Marsh primary school was part of the BBC Points West news programme. The reporter, Erlestoke's prison Governor and the schools champion briefly talk about stigma, intergenerational offending, poor school outcomes and identification of the children of prisoners.
View this news piece about...
The Restorative Thinking Parenting Programme is delivered in prison and community settings with groups of prisoners and with prisoners and their spouse/partner (up to 12 people).
The Restorative Thinking Parenting Programme (Parenting without Conflict) has received the DofE CANparent quality mark. A short film about the programme, commissioned by the DofE, is available on the website....
Safe Ground is a national arts organisation delivering high quality services and interventions to people in prison and community settings. Our work focuses on relationships, parenting and identity and uses group-work and drama techniques for participants to experience alternative perspectives, develop empathy and self-awareness alongside skills and competencies.
Safe Ground provides...
Somerset County Council recognised children of prisoners as a vulnerable group in their Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) for 2016. JSNAs are a statutory responsibility for all local government Health & Wellbeing Boards, bringing together information on regional patterns of health and social need in order to inform strategic priorities.
The 'Somerset: Our County'...