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Children with a Parent in Prison Conference: Impact, Issues, Practice and Policy Plymouth University 2 nd April 2012 Aims of the policy review Raise awareness of the needs of children and young people with a parent in prison or at risk of sentence Secure educational achievement and attendance Ensure positive outcomes in line with Every Child Matters Promote social inclusion and equal opportunities Promote and share good practice in support of these children Desire to produce a practical, accessible policy with a local emphasis and not an academic paper
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Children with a Parent in Prison Conference: Impact, Issues, Practice and Policy
Plymouth University 2nd April 2012
Workshop 1Developing policy and practice to support ‘children of
prisoners’ in school
Tim Gisborne
Gloucestershire County Council
Children with a Parent in Prison Conference: Impact, Issues, Practice and Policy
Plymouth University 2nd April 2012
Context to the Gloucestershire Policy Review
Initial policy was produced in 2002 Joint DCSF/Ministry of Justice ‘Children of Offenders’ Joint Review
2007 South West Summit, Bristol 2009 Local research to investigate if a link existed between students’
experience of loss, bereavement and traumatic events and exclusion- Cohort of 44 pupils- 8 pupils (18%) experienced significant bereavement- 16 pupils (36%) experienced a family member in prison
Children with a Parent in Prison Conference: Impact, Issues, Practice and Policy
Plymouth University 2nd April 2012
Aims of the policy review
Raise awareness of the needs of children and young people with a parent in prison or at risk of sentence
Secure educational achievement and attendance Ensure positive outcomes in line with Every Child Matters Promote social inclusion and equal opportunities Promote and share good practice in support of these
childrenDesire to produce a practical, accessible policy with a local
emphasis and not an academic paper
Children with a Parent in Prison Conference: Impact, Issues, Practice and Policy
Plymouth University 2nd April 2012
Process• Contributions from statutory and voluntary agencies
( Education Welfare Service, Probation Service, Youth Offending, Connexions, Educational Psychology Service, Castle Gate Family Trust, HMP Gloucester, primary and secondary schools, NOMS, Barnardo’s, Governor Services, Commissioning Officer GCC ‘Children’s Plan’.
• Consultations with parents in prison- Group of five mothers and one grandmother in HMP Eastwood park- Group of five fathers in HMP Gloucester
• Child consultations undertaken by Castle Gate Family Trust
Children with a Parent in Prison Conference: Impact, Issues, Practice and Policy
Plymouth University 2nd April 2012
Policy Format
• It was decided to publish the final document in three sections to make it more accessible to the intended audience
1.The policy2.Information for parents, carers and families3.Information and guidance for schools
Children with a Parent in Prison Conference: Impact, Issues, Practice and Policy
Plymouth University 2nd April 2012
Key Challenge
The identification of children with a parent in prison as there is no formal procedure for schools or children services to be informed of a parent sentenced ‘an invisible group’
Informally, schools may become aware of a child’s parent being sent to prison by –Local mediaLocal knowledge
Children with a Parent in Prison Conference: Impact, Issues, Practice and Policy
Plymouth University 2nd April 2012
Some practical suggestions to meet the challenge
• Policy and literature encourages parents to inform schools in order to meet any specific needs of the child
• Display posters, leaflets, resources and policy to show families that the school is sensitive to and supportive of the needs of children with a parent in prison
• Identification of a designated member of staff within the school to act as an advocate and a reference point for families of children with a parent in prison (In Gloucestershire each secondary school has identified a key member of staff for this role)
Children with a Parent in Prison Conference: Impact, Issues, Practice and Policy Plymouth University 2nd April 2012
Practical suggestions to support children in school
• Raise the awareness of staff to the various needs of these children and the potential risks they face
• Work in partnership with families and agree the level of support that could be offered
• Promote and develop links with the parent in prison- Involve the child in ideas to communicate with parent - School reports- Pupil diary- Storybook Dads- Digital photography to capture events, celebrations, achievements, art work, models to forward to parent
Children with a Parent in Prison Conference: Impact, Issues, Practice and Policy
Plymouth University 2nd April 2012
Practical suggestions to support children in school• Monitor pupil achievement and attendance• Be aware of potential bullying and/or behaviour issues• Consider offering family a Common Assessment (CAF) to identify need• A multi-agency meeting could engage outside agencies in providing support if
appropriate• Purchase literature to have available in school If a child confides
- Be non-judgmental – the child has not committed a crime - Don’t ask about the crime - Acknowledge the child’s preferences - Follow safeguarding principles if appropriate
Children with a Parent in Prison Conference: Impact, Issues, Practice and Policy
Plymouth University 2nd April 2012
Future development in Gloucestershire
• Continue to move from policy to practice• Continue to raise awareness and develop services
through the locality teams • Continue to raise awareness with voluntary/statutory
agencies• Provide a source of information for schools • Build relationships with local solicitors, Police and ask
them to provide information for parents
