Children Affected by Parental Offending (CAPO)

Introduction

Children and young people who have parents/relatives/putative family members affected by parental offending or imprisonment are likely to be hidden in your setting. The National Information Centre on Children of Offenders (NICCO) estimates 310,000 children every year have a parent in prison in England and Wales. 

Learners may be affected in many different ways depending on the family's circumstances. This list details examples of impact, but is not exhaustive: 

• Emotional distress and trauma from witnessing the family member being arrested and removed from the family home.
• The bereavement of loss of relationship - it is possible that this will impact on the child's social presentation or behaviour.
• Disruption to care arrangements (they may have to live with another relative or a family friend).
• School attendance can be affected if the family have to travel to visit a prison miles away from their home. 

Hidden Sentence

Often the experience of the children and young people affected by parental imprisonment/offending is referred to as a 'hidden sentence', due to the stigma and shame attached to those affected. It means children and young people could be struggling in silence as families may be too embarrassed to ask for help from professionals for fear of being judged. 

It is important that education settings can be open and transparent about help that's available and build on existing relationships to proactively offer support and start conversations. 

Whilst many of these children, young people and their families may not require specialist support, it is important that you recognise the vulnerabilities and make reasonable adjustments without further exacerbating the harm that they may already be experiencing.

Bristol's Charter for Children of Prisoners

*This charter has been produced with 9 young people in Bristol aged 8-16 with a parent, or family member in prison. It also draws on a Devon research project by Dr Owen Gill focussing on recommendations for children in families affected by parental imprisonment. 

Local Support

Contact the CAPO team, Milli Barry (CAPO Lead) and Anna Jenkins (CAPO Co-ordinator) for non-judgemental, honest advice and support. They can help you and provide you with a warming environment and listening ear. They can also put you in touch with your local CAPO Champion.

Phone: 0117 9593800
Email: capo@bhchildrenscentre.org.uk

There are CAPO champions based in each of Bristol's locality Children's Centres, within schools and several other services. 

To find out more, please visit the Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership website.

If you believe a child has been displaced and is being privately fostered you have a statutory duty to refer them to Children's Social Care for an assessment of need. 

National Resources

• Resource Directory (NICCO) - activities, books, films, soundbites and worksheets from the National Information Centre on Children of Offenders.
• Information and resources for offenders and families (NICCO) - information, tools, activities and programmes to support work with families. 
• Resources for professionals (NICCO) - delivery models, policies and guidance and briefings.

Barnardo's CAPO Workshops

1. Hidden Sentence: a full-day, prison-based workshop on the impact of parental offending on children and families. The workshop includes a walk-through of the prison visiting process.

2. Understanding the Needs of Children and Families Affected by Parental Offending: a two hour introductory workshop, for all professionals working with offenders, children or families, on the impact of parental offending and where to access support and advice.

Book here.