Children Heard and Seen, supporting children, young people and their family with a parent in prison
Children Heard and Seen support children, young people and their families who are impacted by parental imprisonment. It is estimated that 312,000 children each year have a parent in prison, although there is no database of who these children are and whether they are receiving support. As the prison population continues to rise, so does the number of children impacted. Children Heard and Seen over the past six years have worked alongside over 200 families and nearly 500 children and young people. We strive to support their needs, listen to their concerns, and have their views heard and reflected in policy.
Children Heard And Seen is a charity that supports children and families impacted by parental imprisonment. We offer :
- One to one support with specialised staff for children to explore and understand their emotions surrounding their family member in prison
- Support for parents and carers around communicating with children, including ways to tell your child that their parent is in prison
- Activity groups for children to explore feelings and meet others in similar circumstances
- Volunteer mentoring to help children process emotions with a neutral person outside of the family home
- Parenting support,
- Online support and online activities for children
- Activity days
If you know a family that would like support, please email us info@childrenheardandseen.co.uk, call us on 07557339258
Who to contact
- Contact Name
- Children Heard and Seen
- Contact Position
- Operational manager
- Telephone
- 07557339258
- info@childrenheardandseen.co.uk
- Website
- Website
- Notes
Key Facts
Children with a parent in prison are more likely to experience poverty, poor housing, social exclusion, poor physical health, aggressive behaviour.
Children with a parent in prison are 3 times more at risk of committing Anti-Social Behaviour or delinquent behaviour.
65% of boys with a convicted parent go on to offend themselves.
60% of women in prison have children. A prison sentence separates 17,000 children a year from their mothers.
25% of children with a parent in prison are at risk of mental health problems including depression, anxiety, eating and sleeping disorders.
Parental imprisonment is associated with negative school experiences such as persistent truanting, bullying and failure to achieve in education.
Children with a parent in prison are also disproportionately represented among young offenders and the care population.
An outcome of maternal incarceration is that only 5% of children continue living in the family home (due to one third of incarcerated mothers being single parents)
Only 9% of children with an incarcerated mother are raised by their fathers
Where to go
- Notes
Families can self-refer at any time by emailing
info@childrenheardandseen.co.uk
Other Details
Costs
- Offering Tax Free Childcare.
Availability
- Referral Details
Families should self refer by emailing info@childrenheardandseen.co.uk