Directory of Resources

The NICCO Directory of Resources provides details of the huge number of tools, activities, practice models and guidance that have been developed by agencies to support offenders and their children and families.

Whether you are working directly with children, supporting offenders to maintain parental contact, helping a parent to prepare their child for a prison visit or simply want to develop your own understanding of the criminal justice system, this directory provides you with a range of resources to support and inform your work.

To support working with Children

Find activities, books, films, sound bites and worksheets to support your work with children and young people. View

Offenders and Families

Find information, books, tools, activities and programmes to support your work with offenders and their partners or family members. View

To support Professional's Practice

Find delivery models, case studies, local and national policies and guidlines, practice guides, briefings and resources for professional learning and development. View

1. Are you a young person with a family member in prison?

This booklet is for young people aged 10 years plus with a family member in prison. It explores some of the issues young people may face throughout the offender journey such as, keeping in touch, telling friends, and what to do at school. It includes quotes from young people who have a parent in prison, and a list of useful helplines and organisations. Please download a copy of this booklet below:

2. Someone in my family has sexually abused children

This publication by Action for Prisoners' Families (now Action for Prisoners' and Offenders' Families, part of Family Lives) aims to support children with a family member who has sexually abused children. It is not intended for children to read unsupported, but rather for an appropriate adult (perhaps a parent/family member or professional) to read it with them. Download a copy of the leaflet below:

3. The Outsiders - Sent to prison

This booklet is a guide for families, explaining the possible impacts and experiences a family may go through when a relative is sent to prison. It provides information and practical considerations about various stages from arrest through to imprisonment. It includes a section about how children are affected, and a guide to understanding 'prison jargon'. Sent to Prison can be downloaded for free below:

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4. The Outsiders - Living with Separation

This booklet is a guide for families, explaining the possible impacts and experiences a family may go through during a relative's imprisonment. It explains the different emotions that the separation might have on different family members, and offers advice about how this can be addressed. It also includes quotes from families who have a relative in prison. Living With Separation can be downloaded for free below:

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5. The Outsiders - Telling the children

This booklet for parents, carers and family members provides information about the impact that the imprisonment of a parent can have on children. It discusses how the subject can be talked about and explained to children, and includes quotes from parents about their experiences of telling their children. The booklet discusses how children may react to a parent's imprisonment and how children can be prepared for visits. The booklet also highlights the particular effects the imprisonment...

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6. The Outsiders - Preparing for release

This booklet discusses the possible issues families may face when they are preparing for and after release. It features quotes from both ex-prisoners and their partners, and offers practical information and advice about some of the challenges faced by families. Preparing for Release can be downloaded for free below:

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Our Partner

The Centre is delivered by Barnardo’s in partnership with Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).
NICOO Partners