- News & Comment
-
Online Shop
Online Services
Looseleafs
Law Reports
Books and eBooks
-
CPD & Events
Webinars
- Authors
- About Family Law
- Contact
Children with a parent in prison will be identified earlier and connected with support services under a new government pilot designed to improve outcomes for one of the most vulnerable groups of children.
The initiative, announced by the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Education, will see information shared between prisons, police forces and local authorities to help identify children whose parent has entered custody. The pilot is intended to address long-standing concerns that many of these children remain "hidden" from public services and therefore miss out on support.
The scheme will initially operate in areas with high levels of parental imprisonment. For the first time, participating police forces will share information with local authorities about parents entering prison, while government will combine existing data sources to help councils identify affected children and families and connect them with appropriate services.
The government estimates that around 193,000 children in England and Wales have a parent in prison each year. Research has consistently linked parental imprisonment with poorer educational attainment, mental health difficulties and reduced employment prospects later in life.
Once identified, families will be offered support tailored to their circumstances. This may include assistance with children's emotional wellbeing, confidence and sense of belonging, alongside referrals to Family Hubs, health services, housing advice, youth services and support provided by voluntary organisations.
The pilot forms part of the government's commitment to improve support for children with a parent in custody, with the intention of expanding the approach if the initial programme proves successful.
Minister for Sentencing and Youth Justice Jake Richards said children affected by parental imprisonment have too often been "invisible" to public services, arguing that identifying them is essential to preventing cycles of disadvantage.
Children's Minister Josh MacAlister said no child should be defined by the actions of a parent and described the pilot as an important step towards improving children's mental health, education and wellbeing while helping them overcome the challenges associated with parental imprisonment.
The announcement has been welcomed by organisations supporting families affected by the criminal justice system. Lynn Kelly, Director of POPS, said early, specialist and non-judgemental support can make a significant difference to children and families, adding that the charity hopes to contribute its experience as the pilot develops.
Diane Curry, Families Network Co-ordinator at Clinks, said children and young people affected by parental imprisonment should be able to access support within trusted community settings that reflects their identified needs. She added that understanding the impact of parental imprisonment is essential to ensuring support is delivered without increasing stigma.
The government said the pilot complements wider reforms to children's services, including investment in family support, children's social care reform and measures intended to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
