There are an estimated 192,912 children impacted by parental imprisonment each year in England and Wales – approximately 12 children in every school. There are probably children in your school who have or have had a parent in prison. Since many of the families we support have never told anyone outside of their family that they have a parent in prison, this fact may not be apparent at all.

Children with a parent in prison are more likely to suffer from negative school experiences such as bullying and persistent truancy. A failure to achieve in educational settings are also common with those impacted by parental imprisonment, alongside an over-representation in youth offending and care settings.

You can play your part in mitigating against these harms and supporting children to live happy and fulfilled lives. 

By equipping your staff team with knowledge, skills and information about parental imprisonment, you will be better equipped to effectively support children with a parent in prison.

Children Heard and Seen have a range of CPD-Accredited training packages available. These can be delivered either face-to-face or online: 

Introduction to Parental Imprisonment – This is an introductory programme that will increase awareness of parental imprisonment, its impacts and the harms children experience as a result of having a parent in prison.

Children Heard and Seen Workbook – This programme equips practitioners to use our workbook with children in school. The workbook follows the criminal justice journey and provides children with the opportunity to explore their feelings and find safe and healthy ways of expressing them. The last section of the workbook focuses on children setting their goals and raising their aspirations.

Safeguarding Children with a Parent in Prison – There can be specific safeguarding issues around children with a parent in prison. This training guides participants through the various stages of the criminal justice system and how to safeguard children through this process.

Supporting Children with a Parent in Prison who have Witnessed Domestic Abuse – Children who have witnessed domestic abuse are now considered victims in their own right, this programme focuses on the specific risks to the wellbeing of children, how a perpetrator can continue to exert coercive control whilst in custody and how we support children under these circumstances.

Supporting Children with a Parent in Prison for Sexual Offences – This programme focuses on the specific impacts and needs of children when a parent has been imprisoned for sexual offences. In the hierarchy of offending, when a parent has been imprisoned for a sexual offence children can experience specific harms. This training will provide you with knowledge and skills to offer appropriate support.

We are also continuing to develop new training around the issues surrounding kinship carers.

If you are interested in upskilling your team, want to know more about our training or would like to book, please contact us below: