Directory of Resources

This handbook is a practical resource to help Welsh schools support the children of prisoners. The aim of the handbook is to support all school staff to better address the needs of this group of children. The handbook covers the main research and gives examples of good practice. However, the emphasis is on practical ways to support children affected by imprisonment, and it includes checklists that schools can use to ensure they are doing everything possible to support children affected by...

The script for this drama was informed by research with children of prisoners which was carried out by Plymouth University and Barnardo's.   The drama explores some of the different challenges that children may face when a parent is sent to prison. All of the children who were involved in the Plymouth University research declined the offer to be directly involved in the drama but one child acted as a consultant to the process. As a result the children in the video are child...

This comprehensive Barnardo's i-HOP guide is a resource for all community health professionals including midwives, health visitors, school nurses and many more. It aims to inform and help develop their work with the children and families of offenders. It includes an introduction to children affected by parental imprisonment including who they are, the general impact of parental imprisonment and on under fives, pregnant women in prison and how children experience the criminal justice...

This report, written by Anne Longfield, the Children's Commissioner contains the results of the annual study of childhood vulnerability in England.   The report describes '... the children who are growing up with risks that could affect their wellbeing and ultimately life chances.' The report acknowledges that children of prisoners are potentially vulnerable and may have complex family needs, but goes on to say that 'there is very little information on...

Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) is a European-wide network which encourages innovative perspectives and practice to ensure that children with a parent in prison enjoy their rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, and that action is taken to enable well-being and healthy development. The COPE network, previously known as Eurochips (European Action Research Committee on Children of Imprisoned Parents), has been enhancing the...

This briefing, developed by POPS gives an overview of the important, international COPING project and highlights aspects which are relevant to UK Prisons in their involvement with Prisoners' children e.g. direct contact with a parent inside, age appropriate activities, indirect contact, the role of the imprisoned parent and release and resettlement. Six specific recommendations for UK prisons around maintaining contact with the parent in prison and advice and support to parents, care...