Overview
Established in 2014, Children Heard and Seen (CHAS) was founded to fill the gap in support for children impacted by parental imprisonment. With over 1,200 children and their families already supported, we stand as the only charity dedicated to serving children within their communities. Our commitment is to meet their needs, lend an ear to their concerns, and advocate for their voices to be heard and valued in policy decisions.
The precise number of children impacted by parental imprisonment in the UK is not known. According to a recent study called Better Outcomes through Linked Data (BOLD) from the Ministry of Justice, it is estimated that over 192,912 children are affected each year. However, there is currently no formal process in place to identify these children and provide them with support. Children Heard and Seen is advocating for a change in government policy that would establish a method of identifying these children and offering them the necessary support.
Children Heard and Seen embraces a holistic, whole-family approach, extending support to those who care for the child while keeping the child at the centre of the support.
Our core values:
- Children with a parent in prison are supported during an incredibly difficult period in their life.
- Learning is formalised surrounding the experience of the children to build a solid evidence base for research-led policy that results in the implementation of a national framework of good practice around identification and support.
- Awareness is raised regarding the experiences of children with a parent in prison to influence social attitudes and reduce feelings of stigma, shame and social isolation.
Registered Charity Number 1157879
Invisible Children
Launched on September 12, 2023, at Westminster, ‘Invisible Children’ aims to raise awareness about the vital need for identifying and supporting children with a parent in prison. The film, voiced by those with lived experience, emphasises the profound impact of simple support and the positive difference it can make for those affected. At Children Heard and Seen, we believe that every child deserves recognition and the opportunity to thrive, free from the burden, shame, or stigma of parental offending. Join our campaign to establish a national, statutory mechanism to identify and support children with a parent in prison here.
Our Impact
Our support is provided with a focus on raising aspirations, improving emotional wellbeing and breaking the cycle of intergenerational offending.
Research shows that 65% of boys with a parent in prison go on to offend (Murray and Farrington – 2008). However, we believe this is not a predetermined outcome. Through offering trauma-informed support tailored to the needs and circumstances of each child, we can break the cycle of intergenerational offending and achieve better outcomes for children and their families. Of the 1,250+ children we have supported since inception, only five have gone on to commit an offence – a rate of 0.5%.
Our Achievements
We are proud to have the value of our work supporting children with a parent in prison recognised and amplified by the following awards. These awards provide a crucial platform for those in power to hear our message that children with a parent in prison should be identified and supported. In 2017, our Founder/CEO – Sarah Burrows was awarded the Prime Ministers’ Point of Light Award by Theresa May, for her outstanding contribution to mentoring and steering young people away from a life of crime. Sarah was also listed on the Independent’s ‘Happy List’ in the same year, as one of 50 people who make Britain a happier place to live.
In 2019 Children Heard and Seen won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK to recognise the exceptional service within their communities. In 2020, we were also awarded the Outstanding Regional/Local Organisation Award by the Criminal Justice Alliance for our work in supporting families throughout the pandemic. In 2022, we were awarded the Positive Impact Award by the Violent Crime Prevention Board, and the Directors Special Award at the Kids Count Inspiration Awards in Westminster.
In May 2023, our Founder/CEO – Sarah Burrows – was awarded the ‘Long-term Achievement award’ at the Sheila McKechnie Foundation National Campaigner Awards 2023. This award recognises those who have made change happen most effectively, creatively and courageously. The aim of the awards are to celebrate campaigns that lead to changes that benefit all across society.
In June 2023, Children Heard and Seen were awarded the Stephen Lloyd Award for our work with the Thames Valley Police on Operation Paramount. In November 2023, we were awarded the Centre for Social Justice Award for our commitment to breaking the cycle of reoffending, for our innovative programmes, and for our work to address root causes of criminality.
Ahead of the UK General Election in July 2024, a commitment to identify and support children with a parent in prison was included in the Labour Party Manifesto. This ground-breaking policy commitment was the first time the issue of parental imprisonment has been included in a major political party’s manifesto, and reflects the appetite and commitment to create change for this innocent group of children at the highest level of policy-making. We will continue to lobby MPs and Ministers to deliver on this commitment, so that every child with a parent in prison is able to access appropriate support in the future.