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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
E-mail
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 required
No
Referral Details

Families should self refer by emailing info@childrenheardandseen.co.uk

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