Children with a parent in prison to get earlier support under new government pilot
Children with a parent in prison will receive earlier support under a new government pilot designed to improve their mental health, education and wellbeing
Children with a parent in prison will be identified sooner and connected to support services under a new government pilot aimed at improving their mental health, education and wellbeing
New pilot will identify children with a parent in prison and connect families to support
The scheme, launching this summer, will see information shared for the first time between prisons, police forces and local authorities to help identify children whose parent has entered custody. Ministers say the move will ensure vulnerable families are linked with support before children “fall through the cracks”
An estimated 193,000 children in England and Wales have a parent in prison each year, with research showing parental imprisonment can have lasting effects on children’s emotional wellbeing, school attendance and future employment prospects
The pilot will initially focus on areas with the highest rates of parental imprisonment before potentially being expanded nationwide as part of the government’s commitment to better support children affected by the criminal justice system
Once identified, families will be offered tailored support based on their individual needs. This could include help with children’s emotional wellbeing, confidence and sense of belonging, alongside referrals to Family Hubs, mental and physical health services, housing advice, youth services and local charities
Sentencing and Youth Justice Minister Jake Richards said: “For too long, these children have been invisible to the system. If we do not know who they are, we cannot support them – and if we cannot support them, we risk another generation being pulled into a cycle of disadvantage
“We made a promise to protect these children and stop them paying the price for their parents’ crimes. Today we are making good on that pledge.”
Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister added: “No child should be defined by the actions of a parent, especially when that parent is in prison
“This pilot will deliver urgently needed support for children’s mental health, education and wellbeing, helping those with a parent in prison to overcome challenges and thrive. It is a crucial step in breaking the link between background and success.”
Children with an imprisoned parent are often described by charities as a “hidden” group because information about them is not routinely shared between public services, making it harder for schools, councils and <a href="https://healthylife7.com/fangzhou-named-to-kpmg-china-healthcare-50-for-ai/” title=”Fangzhou Named to KPMG China Healthcare 50 for AI”>healthcare providers to identify families in need
The government said the pilot forms part of its wider plans to strengthen family support services and improve outcomes for vulnerable children
