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. A Point of View - Luke's short film

This short film on the Children Heard and Seen website is by Luke aged 10.   The film describes from Luke's perspective, what it is like to have a parent in prison and it includes and interview, conducted by Luke of the Deputy Governor at HMP Leicester.

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2. 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:

3. Child rights video: 'Because it's our right'

This video from Children of Prisoners Europe is for caregivers, teachers, and service providers who are supporting children during the difficult time when their parent is in prison. The video is based on Article 9 of the UNCRC which states that children have the right to be in contact with their parents, unless this is contrary to the child's best interests. Often, children are unaware of this right. To help them understand their right, as well as ways to connect with a parent who is...

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4. Child's Journey Worksheets

These worksheets are for children to complete during the time of a family member's imprisonment in order to explore how they are feeling about a situation and what they understand. They can be completed by children with the support of professionals or family members/carers. The worksheets aim to address children;s feelings through a variety of activities such as poetry, drawing and questions and answers. The worksheets cover topics such as visits, remand and court, arrest and school....

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5. Childline - Parents in Prison

Childline have a dedicated page of their website for children and young people affected by imprisonment.   Here children and young people can access answers to common questions surrounding the criminal justice system and the impact this has on them. Advice includes what to tell school, how to cope emotionally, who to talk to and what to do upon the return of a parent into the family home. Childline have focused on the emotional impact a parent going to prison can have on children,...

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6. DoodleCards

Sussex Prisoners' Families worked with a children's artist to develop this new set of resources called DoodleCards to help prisoners' families stay in contact.   DoodleCards have been specially designed to help children stay connected with a loved one during a separation and aim to help divided families share ideas, reminisce and contemplate the future. There is space on these resources for families to write or draw what they wish and then post them to their loved one...

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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