SCIE

SCIE Resource Guide 'Maintaining family ties for children of prisoners'

www. scie.org.uk/publications/resourceguides/index.asp

SCIE e-learning resource 'Children of Prisoners: an introduction'

This provides information on the characteristics and common experiences of children of prisoners and allows you to test your knowledge of basic facts and figures.
www.scie. org.uk/publications/elearning/index.asp

SCIE e-learning resource 'The pathway from arrest to release'

This allows you to explore a pathway through the Criminal Justice System (arrest, court, prison and release), introduces key professionals and their roles and responsibilities at each stage and provides comprehensive information on resources and services available at each stage.
www.scie. org.uk/publications/elearning/index.asp

SCIE e-learning resource 'Approaches to practice with children of prisoners'

This presents you with six scenarios that may face the range of professionals working with children of prisoners. You will receive feedback on your answers that may help you to reflect on new approaches to working with children of prisoners, key resources available to you and how you might develop your own practice.
www.scie. org.uk/publications/elearning/index.asp

Arrest

Homeward bound video clip (APF)

Action for Prisoners' Families (APF) has produced a DVD called 'Homeward Bound'.

This extract will give you some insight into how children might feel when they find out their parent has been arrested and taken away.

Where can I get the whole DVD?

Contact details:

Website:

www.prisonersfamilies.org.uk

'Arrest' and 'Before Arrest' workbooks

Thames Valley Partnership

Thames Valley Partnership (TVP) has produced child friendly workbooks called 'Arrest' and 'Before Arrest' to help staff work with children.

You can download them here:
Arrest (pdf)
Before Arrest (pdf)

Action for Prisoners' Families (APF)

Action for Prisoners' Families (APF) is a campaigning organisation, working to raise the profile of children and families of prisoners.

APF produces a wide range of publications, for training, awareness-raising and talking to children and families. It has developed a National Directory, which has up to date information about services across the UK. It includes details of prisons, visitors' centres, and other services such as those offering support for substance misuse. Access to the directory and publications can be found through the APF website.

Contact details:

Tel:

020 8812 3600

Email:

info@actionpf.org.uk

Website:

www.prisonersfamilies.org.uk

Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group (POPS)

Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group (POPS) provides services to support anyone with someone in prison, prisoners and other agencies.

POPS provides support to enable families to cope with the stress of arrest, imprisonment and release. It has Family Link Workers based within prison establishments across the North West to ensure that families are able to support the offender effectively. POPS runs visitors' centres and is part of the consortium that run the National Prisoners' Families Helpline (see APF).

Contact details:

Tel:

0161 702 1000

Email:

mail@partnersofprisoners.co.uk

Website:

www.partnersofprisoners.org.uk

Helplines

i. There is a National Helpline for England and Wales run by APF, Ormiston and POPS for families of prisoners. It provides up-to-date information and guidance about prisons in England and Wales. It can link you with different services and local support groups in your area.

Contact details:

Tel:

0800 808 2003

ii. There is a helpline for Scotland run by Families Outside.

Tel:

0500 839 383

Advice Service

There is an Advice Service for people in Northern Ireland run by NIACRO.

Contact details:

Tel:

028 90 320157 or 028 7126 4555

Court

Families Outside factsheets

Families Outside provides free factsheets for Scottish families.

These are:

  • Where to go for help
  • Worried About Self Harm or Suicide
  • Visiting Someone in a Scottish Prison
  • Travel/Transport to Scottish Prisons
  • Time in Custody
  • Transfers
  • Talking to Children about Imprisonment
  • Visiting Prison with your Children
  • Home Detention Curfew
  • Prison Visits - Do's & Don'ts

Where can I find them?

Website:

www.familiesoutside.org.uk/publications.asp

'Information about prison for people at court' (NACRO)

'Information about prison for people at court' is a leaflet for families at court.

Where can I find it?

Website:

http://www.nacro.org.uk/publications/adviceleaflets.htm

Prisoners Families and Friends (PFF) resources

Prisoners Families and Friends (PFF) has produced several useful resources including leaflets on:

  • 'Court to Custody'
  • 'Information for those with a family member of friend in prison'

Where can I find it/them?

Contact details:

Website:

www.prisonersfamiliesandfriends.org.uk

Additionally, in partnership with Islington Primary Care Trust and Age Concern, PFF has produced:

  • 'A guide for grandparents bringing up the children of prisoners'
  • 'A guide for young people living with their grandparents while their parents are in prison'

Where can I find them?

Contact details:

Website:

www.centreforip.org.uk/default.aspx?page=820#publications (scroll down near bottom of page)

Custody - what now? (The Thames Valley Partnership)

The Thames Valley Partnership has produced a leaflet for families at court called: 'Custody - what now?'.

This is for children of prisoners and is available at court.

'Remand and court' workbook

Thames Valley Partnership

Thames Valley Partnership (TVP) has produced a workbook called 'Remand and court' to help children come to terms with what is happening.

You can download it here:
Remand and court (pdf)

Families Outside

Families Outside help hundreds of families each year.

It works closely with the Family Contact and Development Officers in each prison in Scotland.

Through research, training and partnership work, Families Outside aim to raise awareness of the needs of families affected by imprisonment so that they can get the information and support they need to cope.

Families Outside has a number of useful publications including information for families at Court, and about 'through care' (the support offered to a prisoner during their sentence).

All resources are available directly from Families Outside.

Contact details:

Tel:

0131 557 9800

Email:

spfh@familiesoutside.org.uk

Website:

www.familiesoutside.org.uk

Prisoners Families and Friends (PFF)

Prisoners Families and Friends (PFF) is an independent voluntary agency which has been helping prisoners' families for 40 years.

The main aims of the service are to provide the families and friends of anyone sentenced to imprisonment or remanded in custody with:

  • Advice and information
  • Support and assistance at court
  • Support and friendship

To find out more and access these materials contact PFF.

Contact details:

Tel:

0808 808 3444 (Freephone Helpline for prisoners' families); 020 7403 4091/9359 (Admin)

Email:

info@prisonersfamiliesandfriends.org.uk

Website:

www.prisonersfamiliesandfriends.org.uk

The Thames Valley Partnership (TVP) - 'Family Matters' Programme

Thames Valley Partnership (TVP) runs the 'Family Matters Programme' which works towards improving and integrating support to the children and families of prisoners and offenders.

It delivers training in prisons and communities in the region and are setting up 'Family Matters Community Networks' which are local and multi-disciplinary. TVP is child-focused and enables sharing of information and case planning about particular families affected by imprisonment.

TVP has developed leaflets and pulled together much of the training material and resources, into one pack. This is available from TVP for 40 pounds.

Contact details:

Tel:

01844 202001

Email:

admin@thamesvalleypartnership.org.uk

Website:

www.thamesvalleypartnership.org

Helplines

i. There is a National Helpline for England and Wales run by APF, Ormiston and POPS for families of prisoners. It provides up-to-date information and guidance about prisons in England and Wales. It can link you with different services and local support groups in your area.

Contact details:

Tel:

0800 808 2003

ii. There is a helpline for Scotland run by Families Outside.

Contact details:

Tel:

0500 839 383

Advice Service

There is an Advice Service for people in Northern Ireland run by NIACRO.

Contact details:

Tel:

028 90 320157 or 028 7126 4555

Prison

Action for Prisoners' Families (APF)

Action for Prisoners' Families (APF) is a campaigning organisation, working to raise the profile of children and families of prisoners.

It produces a wide range of publications, for training, awareness-raising and talking to children and families. It has developed a National Directory, which has up to date information about services across the UK. The directory includes details of prisons, visitors' centres, and other services such as those offering support for substance misuse.

Access to the directory and publications can be found through the APF website.

Contact details:

Tel:

020 8812 3600

Email:

info@actionpf.org.uk

Website:

www.prisonersfamilies.org.uk

Barnardo's Northern Ireland

Barnardo's Northern Ireland run a series of parenting programmes in prisons for both remand and sentenced parents.

It also offers support for preparing for release, and for young offenders who are fathers. Barnardo's has produced comic books and a DVD entitled 'It's a tough time for everyone' which is a resource for children, families and professionals to help understand the experiences of children with a parent in prison.

Access to publications can be found through the Barnardo's Northern Ireland website.

Contact details:

Website:

www.barnardos.org.uk/northernireland.htm

Big Book Share

The Big Book Share

give books and CDs to children and gets parents in prison contributing to their children's reading development.

Contact details:

Website:

www.phf.org.uk/news.asp?id=200&year=2007&pageno

Families Outside

Families Outside helps hundreds of families each year.

It works closely with the Family Contact and Development Officers in each prison in Scotland.

Through research, training and partnership work, Families Outside aims to raise awareness of the needs of families affected by imprisonment so that they can get the information and support they need to cope.

Families Outside has a number of useful publications including information for families at Court, and about 'through care' (the support offered to a prisoner during their sentence).

All resources are available directly from Families Outside.

Contact details:

Tel:

0131 557 9800

Email:

spfh@familiesoutside.org.uk

Website:

www.familiesoutside.org.uk

HALOW

HALOW (Birmingham) provides services to prisoners' families to help them overcome problems as a result of having a family member in prison.

The purpose of the charity is to help maintain good family ties. It provides a range of services in visitors' centres at HMP Brimingham, Stafford, Brinsford YOI, and Featherstone.

Contact details:

Tel:

0121 551 9799

Address:

Halow (Birmingham)
PO Box 7081
Birmingham
B18 4AN

Kids VIP

Kids VIP provides training across the prison estate to prison staff about making prison visits as child-friendly as possible.

This includes information about good practice, how to replicate it and guidance and support on setting up child-centred family visits. The aim of Kids VIP is to enable children to maintain their relationships with an imprisoned parent. Training is available for:

  • Prison governors and officers
  • Visitor centre staff
  • Volunteers and other play workers

There is also a good practice guide and DVD. Copies of materials are available by contacting Kids VIP directly.

Contact details:

Address:

Kids VIP
PO Box 51217
London
SE11 4ZD

Email:

annettabennett@aol.com

North Eastern Prison After Care Society (NEPACS)

NEPACS is a voluntary, independent, community-based charity that supports offenders, ex-offenders and their families.

Volunteers work to provide visitors' centres and children's play areas at prisons throughout the Northeast. NEPACS also organises special visits for children and families, runs events and produces publications to raise awareness.

Contact details:

Tel:

0191 384 3096

Email:

info@nepacs.co.uk

Website:

www.nepacs.co.uk

Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NIACRO)

Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NIACRO) runs the Family Links programme to help people cope with having a family member in prison.

It is offered to families of all prisoners in Northern Ireland. It ensures that all families are offered independent advice and support within 24 hours of a person entering prison by telephone with follow-up information pack in the post.

Contact details:

Tel:

028 9032 0157

Email:

niacro@niacro.co.uk

Website:

www.niacro.co.uk

Ormiston

Ormiston works across the majority of the prisons in the Eastern region.

It staffs the visitors' centres, runs accredited parenting programmes and special visits in the prisons, works with children in the community and produces resources and information for families and those who work with them.

Ormiston offers a range of training and awareness-raising, including a programme for foster carers, social work students and schools. Ormiston is also part of the consortium that operates the National Prisoners' Families Helpline (see Action for Prisoners Families - APF). A range of resources are available from Ormiston.

Contact details:

Tel:

01473 724517

Email:

enquiries@ormiston.org

Website:

www.ormiston.org

The Prison Advice & Care Trust (PACT)

The Prison Advice & Care Trust (PACT) is an independent charity which supports people affected by imprisonment.

PACT works with children and families of prisoners, and with prisoners inside and on release.

It provides Family Support Workers and volunteers at several visitors' centres. Situated outside the prison gates, PACT can offer information and support to family members.

Contact details:

Tel:

020 7490 3139

Email:

info@prisonadvice.org.uk

Website:

www.prisonadvice.org.uk

Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group (POPS)

Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group (POPS) provides services to support anyone with someone in prison, prisoners and other agencies.

POPS provides support to enable families to cope with the stress of arrest, imprisonment and release. It has Family Link Workers based within prison establishments across the North West to ensure that families are able to support the offender effectively. POPS runs visitors' centres and is part of the consortium that run the National Prisoners' Families Helpline (see Action for Prisoners' Families - APF).

Contact POPS directly for more information and publications.

Contact details:

Tel:

0161 702 1000

Email:

mail@partnersofprisoners.co.uk

Website:

www.partnersofprisoners.org .uk

Prisoners Families and Friends (PFF)

Prisoners Families and Friends (PFF) is an independent voluntary agency which has been helping prisoners' families for 40 years.

The main aims of the service are to provide the families and friends of anyone sentenced to imprisonment or remanded in custody with:

  • Advice and information
  • Support and assistance at court
  • Support and friendship

To find out more and access these materials please contact PFF.

Contact details:

Tel:

0808 808 3444 (Freephone Helpline for prisoners' families); 020 7403 4091/9359 (Admin)

Email:

info@prisonersfamiliesandfriends.org.uk

Website:

www.prisonersfamiliesandfriends.org.uk

Storybook Dads

Storybook Dads is an independent, registered charity.

It is based at Dartmoor Prison and has been steadily expanding across the prison estate. It uses digital technology to enable mothers and fathers to record stories for their children to listen to at home, with the aim of maintaining family ties and facilitating learning for prisoners and their children through the provision of story CDs.

Contact details:

Address:

HMP Dartmoor
Princetown
Yelverton
Devon
PL20 6RR

Email:

storybookdads@blueyonder.co.uk

Website:

www.storybookdads.org.uk

Thames Valley Partnership (TVP) - 'Family Matters' Programme

Thames Valley Partnership (TVP) runs the 'Family Matters Programme' which works towards improving and integrating support to the children and families of prisoners and offenders.

TVP delivers training in prisons and communities in the region and is setting up 'Family Matters Community Networks' which are local and multi-disciplinary. It is child-focused and enables sharing of information and case planning about particular families affected by imprisonment.

TVP has developed leaflets and pulled together much of the training material and resources, into one pack. This is available from TVP for 40 pounds.

Contact details:

Tel:

01844 202001

Email:

admin@thamesvalleypartnership.org.uk

Website:

www.thamesvalleypartnership.org

Helplines

i. There is a National Helpline for England and Wales run by APF, Ormiston and POPS for families of prisoners. It provides up-to-date information and guidance about prisons in England and Wales. It can link you with different services and local support groups in your area.

Contact details:

Tel:

0800 808 2003

ii. There is a helpline for Scotland run by Families Outside.

Contact details:

Tel:

0500 839 383

Advice Service

There is an Advice Service for people in Northern Ireland run by NIACRO.

Contact details:

Tel:

028 90 320157 or 028 7126 4555

Homeward bound video clip (APF)

Action for Prisoners' Families (APF) has produced a DVD called 'Homeward Bound'.

We have reproduced an extract here.

This extract is an example of a child's view on visiting their dad. It will increase your awareness of some of the thoughts and anxieties they might experience.

Where can I get the whole DVD?

Contact details:

Website:

www.prisonersfamilies.org.uk

'Children visiting prison' (Ormiston)

Ormiston has a fact sheet called 'Children visiting prison'.

This is a useful tool for anyone who has contact with prisons, or is supporting children and families to maintain family ties.

Where can I find it?

Contact details:

Website:

www.ormiston.org/opus58/children_visiting_prison.pdf

'It's a tough time for everyone' (Barnardo's Northern Ireland)

'It's a tough time for everyone' is a resource for children, families and professionals offering support.

It is available in either comic book or DVD format, and shows the experiences of a child as he comes to terms with his dad going to prison. It includes his experiences of visiting, telling people and the impact it has on the rest of his family.

We have included a short extract for you from this DVD. Where can I find it?

Contact details:

Website:

www.barnardos.org.uk/ resources.htm

'Kids visiting prison' DVD (Kids VIP)

'Kids visiting prison' is a DVD highlighting the issues for children visiting prison.

It shows the process children have to go through in terms of security and gaining access to the institution, as well the experience of a normal domestic visit and a child-centred visit. Again, this is an excellent training tool and would be of benefit to anyone who is supporting children visiting prisons.

'Children visiting prison' is a good practice guide. This is a useful tool for anyone who has contact with prisons, or is supporting children and families to maintain family ties.

Where can I find them?

Contact details:

Address:

Kids VIP
PO Box 51217
London
SE11 4ZD

Email:

annettabennett@aol.com

NACRO resources

NACRO has produced extremely useful resources for children and families and professionals offering support:

  • 'The silent sentence' is a DVD describing the services available and the issues faced by the thousands of families affected every year by imprisonment
  • 'Information about prison for people at court' is a leaflet detailing vital information for families about keeping in touch
  • 'Outside Help' is a booklet providing a range of practical information about maintaining contact, support services, benefits, accommodation and release.

Contact details:

Website:

www.nacro.org.uk/publications/index.htm

Ormiston resources

Ormiston has produced a range of materials:

  • Working with Children and Families of Prisoners - a guide for teachers & education professionals
  • A pack of leaflets entitled 'My Mum's / Dad's in Prison' with information about visiting prison, telling the children, being a parent or carer and specific material for younger and older children
  • Visiting My Dad / Visiting My Mum
  • You & Your Child parenting programme

Contact details:

Website:

www.ormiston .org/catalogue.html

'Invisible children' (Thames Valley partnership)

Thames Valley partnership

has produced 'Invisible children' as a guide for teachers working with the children of prisoners. Where can I find it?

Contact details:

Website:

www.thamesvalleypartnership.org/downloads/invisiblechildren.pdf

Thames Valley partnership workbooks

Thames Valley Partnership (TVP)

has produced a series of workbooks to help staff support children through various stages of the prison process.

You can download them here:
Dad and me (pdf)
Dealing with imprisonment (pdf)
Home (pdf)
Me and ... (pdf)
Moving on (pdf)
Mum and me (pdf)
Prison (pdf)
School (pdf)
Visiting (pdf)

Release

Action for Prisoners' Families (APF)

Action for Prisoners' Families (APF) is a campaigning organisation, working to raise the profile of children and families of prisoners.

It produces a wide range of publications, for training, awareness-raising and talking to children and families. It has developed a National Directory, which has up to date information about services across the UK. The directory includes details of prisons, visitors' centres, and other services such as those offering support for substance misuse. Access to the directory and publications can be found through the APF website.

Contact details:

Tel:

020 8812 3600

Email:

info@actionpf.org.uk

Website:

www.prisonersfamilies.org.uk

Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group (POPS)

Partners of Prisoners and Families Support Group (POPS) provides services to support anyone with someone in prison, prisoners and other agencies.

POPS provides support to enable families to cope with the stress of arrest, imprisonment and release. It has Family Link Workers based within prison establishments across the North West to ensure that families are able to support the offender effectively. POPS runs visitors' centres and is part of the consortium that run the National Prisoners' Families Helpline (see Action for Prisoners' Families - APF).

Contact POPS directly for more information and publications.

Contact details:

Tel:

0161 702 1000

Email:

mail@partnersofprisoners.co.uk

Website:

www.partnersofprisoners.org .uk

Thames Valley Partnership (TVP)

Thames Valley Partnership (TVP) runs the 'Family Matters Programme' which works towards improving and integrating support to the children and families of prisoners and offenders.

TVP delivers training in prisons and communities in the region and is setting up 'Family Matters Community Networks' which are local and multi-disciplinary. TVP is child-focused and enable sharing of information and case planning about particular families affected by imprisonment.

TVP has developed leaflets and pulled together much of the training material and resources, into one pack. This is available from TVP for 40 pounds.

Contact details:

Tel:

01844 202001

Email:

admin@thamesvalleypartnership.org.uk

Website:

www.thamesvalleypartnership.org

Helplines

i. There is a National Helpline for England and Wales run by APF, Ormiston and POPS for families of prisoners. It provides up-to-date information and guidance about prisons in England and Wales. It can link you with different services and local support groups in your area.

Contact details:

Tel:

0800 808 2003

ii. There is a helpline for Scotland run by Families Outside.

Tel:

0500 839 383

Advice Service

There is an Advice Service for people in Northern Ireland run by NIACRO.

Contact details:

Tel:

028 90 320157 or 028 7126 4555

Homeward bound video clip (APF)

Action for Prisoners' Families (APF) has produced a DVD called 'Homeward Bound'.

This extract is all about preparing for release. It will demonstrate the apprehension and worry of such an enormous event on a child.

Where can I get the whole DVD?

Contact details:

Website:

www.prisonersfamilies.org.uk

'Preparing for release' (APF)

APF also produces a leaflet called 'preparing for release'.

Contact details:

Website:

www.prisonersfamilies.org.uk (it is part of the series 'The Outsiders').

Thames Valley partnership resources

Thames Valley Partnership provides a pack combining a range of resources.

Where can I find it? You can contact TVP directly to get a copy

Contact details:

Tel:

01844 202001

Email:

admin@thamesvalleypartnership.org.uk

Website:

www.thamesvalleypartnership.org