Enabling practitioners to best support children with parents in prison.
An estimated 200,000 children per year are affected by a parent going to prison, and for the majority of these children, this change in their life can be scary, confusing, and leave lasting effects on their mental health. Children often face stigma when they have a parent in prison, and frequently the remaining parent is hesitant to ask for help due to fear of judgement or isolation by their peers. This toolkit aims to provide a clear, accessible overview of the challenges faced by children with a parent in prison, and how the work of family hubs and local authorities can shape positive outcomes for both children and parents experiencing incarceration alike. The toolkit also includes links to evidence based resources, research, services, and further reading, as well as case studies from local authorities and organisations that showcase the best practice that has enabled them to effectively support families before, during, and after the prison sentence.
