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

13. Fixers CD resource to make prisoners aware of the effects imprisonment has on their families

Fixers, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, is a movement of young people tackling issues they feel strongly about to make a difference to others. 'Fixers' are young people who want to change things for the better. Many have been through difficult times, and have used that experience to campaign on issues that matter to them, like being homeless, drink and drug misuse and parental imprisonment. Visit Fixers for further information about the organisation. As part of their campaigns, and...

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14. The Outsiders - A guide to adoption for women prisoners

This leaflet is for mothers in prison whose children are being or might be adopted. It provides an overview of the law and procedure relating to adoption, from the point of view of the birth mother. The guide includes basic information around parental responsibility, placement, adoption orders and so on. There is also information about who can help mothers in the prison. Finally the guide includes the experiences of three women who have had their children adopted whilst in prison. See A...

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15. Court to Custody

This booklet is designed to help defendants and their families prepare for the possibility of custody. It gives information and advice on the various stages of this process - arrest, bail, custodial remand, planning ahead, court, sentence, reception into prison. There are also useful contacts given at the end of the booklet. To access the booklet click on the link below.

16. Benefits information - Partner in prison

This web page provides information about entitlement to specific benefits if you have a partner in prison, including help with the cost of children and housing costs. There are links to information that explains the different types of benefits and give further advice. See benefits below:

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17. Being a Parent: A leaflet for parents in prison

This leaflet by Ormiston Families is aimed at parents in prison, detailing the importance of staying in contact with children and the ways that this can be done.   It highlights some of the key issues with regard to the child's care and emphasises the importance of the imprisoned parents role, in making life easier for their child. Also listed on the leaflet are a number of key contacts for parents in prison, their children and families. Download below.

18. What shall I tell the children?

This short leaflet details ways of dealing with telling a child that a parent is being sent to prison and can be used by both families and professionals. It covers questions such as what and when you might tell the child, how to deal with the future and whether other people need to know. The leaflet also contains a list of useful contacts for families which might help support a child in this situation. Download 'What shall I tell the children?' below.

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