2. 6 scenarios

Scenario 2: Providing information and resources

Read the situation below and choose the best response.

You are a social worker who has carried out an assessment on a brother and sister aged seven and three. They are being looked after by their grandmother who is struggling to cope after their mother went to prison. Unfortunately, they are not eligible for services as you do not have concerns that the children are in need or are at risk in any way. Do you:

  • Suggest you refer the youngest child to the Children's Centre to support the child (and grandmother), suggest contacting the school to enable the child to receive support and also find materials for teaching staff to use to help children come to terms with what has happened?
  • Top answer - Children's centres have a role to play in supporting children with a parent in prison. They will offer advice on visits and finances. There are materials available for schools, through Ormiston or the behavioural support teachers' pack available from Thames Valley Partnership (TVP). You might also suggest a meeting to include all those involved to ensure there is a package of support. This is a model developed by TVP and you can read more about it in the SCIE resource guide on maintaining family ties for children of prisoners in the Extra resources section.
  • Apologise and explain there is nothing you can do on this occasion, but to come back if the situation deteriorates?
  • Whilst this is all you have to do under your statutory duty, you might consider offering the grandmother other support such as signposting her to other agencies. If she gets help early on it may reduce her chances of coming back.
  • Explain there is nothing you can do but try to find information or advice to help the family, such as the telephone number for the National Prisoners' Families Helpline and other leaflets or materials?
  • The National Prisoners' Families Helpline is available to anyone and can offer specific advice to the grandmother. It will signpost her to further information for her area through the APF National Directory of Services, Action for Prisoners' Families. Other organisations such as Ormiston have produced leaflets and DVDs to help families deal with the trauma of a parent going to prison.