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Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
Supporting all professionals to work with offenders’ children and their families in the North EastWednesday 25th November 2015
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Welcome Jenny Mooney, Chair
Governing Governor, HMP Holme House
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Follow us @barnardos_ihop
@nepacsinfo#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Welcome Barry Coppinger
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Professor Adele JonesUniversity of Huddersfield
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
COPINGChildren of Prisoners, Interventions and
Mitigations for Mental Health
Professor Adele JonesThe Centre for Applied Child, Family and Youth Research
The University of Huddersfield
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
Context
Paucity of research into the consequences of parental incarceration
General lack of policy interest in the plight of children of prisoners
Worldwide, unprecedented numbers of people are being imprisoned and in many countries incarceration is on the increase. More parents than ever are locked up.
Impact on children is little recognized
Statistics on children affected not gath ered
Stigma forces children to keep the imprisonment a secret
Chil dren’s rights subsumed by the greater powers of the criminal justice systemChildren vulnerable and
marginalised
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
COPING CONSORTIUM
Universities
University of Huddersfield, UK Dresden Technical University, Germany Karolinska Institute, Sweden Universitatea Alexandra Ioan Cuza, Romania
NGOs - National
Partners of Prisoners and Families Support (POPS) UK
Treffpunkt e.V. Grrmany Asociatia Alternative Sociale, Romaina Bryggan, Sweden
NGOs – European & Global
COPE (Children of Prisoners, Europe), France Quaker United Nations Office, Geneva,
Switzerland
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
A child-centred research strategy
A child-centred, interdisciplinary and multi-sector approach to identifying the mental health needs and resilience of children of prisoners and the most promising policy and intervention responses.
Carried out in Germany, Romania, Sweden and the UK, the
research reflected a spectrum of different incarceration levels, welfare policies, penal codes and services for vulnerable
children
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
A mixed-methods, sequential design
Survey (the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Kidscreen, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire) - over 1000 children, aged 7-17 (plus parent/carers) across the four countries surveyed to ascertain coping strategies and mental health problems. Results compared with population norms
In-depth interviews - smaller groups of children and parents interviewed to explore the impact of parental imprisonment
Stakeholder consultation-to broaden the evidence about the needs of children consultations with stakeholders (prison staff, NGOs, SWs, carers, schools, residential workers)
Mapping interventions - Health care and community based services and interventions identified, mapped and documented
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
Limitations
Reaching an ‘invisible’ population
Sampling bias and representativeness
Pre-existing social conditions
Minoritized children Ethical challenges Socio-cultural factors Practical and logistical
challenges
Children’s drawings courtesy
of COPE
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
Some Key Findings
Children of prisoners need to count! Children impacted by ambiguous loss Significantly greater risk of suffering mental health
difficulties (25% rising to 50%) Key resilience factors: children’s innate qualities; stability
in caregiving; maintaining relationships with imprisoned parent; support from extended family; open communication
Significant gender differences – both in relation to children and, parents
Imprisoned fathers important role models for their sons Children impacted by circles of stigma Prison visiting environments and family-friendly
programmes make a big difference
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
Agencies
Governments overall neglectful of this group of children NGOs leading the field in terms of practice and pushing for
recognition Relationship between NGOs and prisons in some
instances evidence exemplary models of partnerships Some excellent services and initiatives exist but these are
subject to vagaries of insecure funding, the lottery of geographical location, marginalisation, low visibility and difficulties of access
Schools have considerable potential to contribute to emotional well-being – a means of mainstreaming non-stigmatising support. We found evidence of schools which were punitive and reinforced stigma & isolation and others which were very supportive
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
Seeking help
Agencies
GPs
Schools
Family
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
Recommendations for improvements in policy & practice
1. Child- friendly Criminal Justice Systems
2. Maintaining Contact with the Parent in Prison
3. Advice and Support to Parents and Care Givers
4. The Role of the School
5. Public Awareness & Policy Recognition
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
Recommendations: Sentencing & Imprisonment
Courts should take the child’s best
interest in to account at the time of
sentencing and in decisions on
imprisonment.
Assess the impact of the parent’s sentence on the child & consider:
If the arrested parent is the child’s sole or joint carer
Residency arrangements for the child following sentencing
The proximity of the child’s residence to prison
The opportunity for the child to be represented and heard
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
Maintaining Contact with a Parent in Prison
The Issues:
Maintaining the parent - child relationship builds resilience
A child has the right to stay in contact with both parents (CRC)
Face- ‐to- ‐face contact enhances coping skills
The first prison visit is crucial in reassuring children of parent’s safety
Initial visits often take long to arrange
Prison visiting environments vary
Prison staff not always behaving in child- ‐ friendly manner
Telephone contact expensive and often restricted to out- going calls
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
Contact
Minimum standards on visiting facilities needed Prisons should provide age-appropriate activities that
both occupy children during visits and foster interaction between children and their imprisoned parent
Prisoners should be able to both make affordable outgoing calls, and receive incoming calls from their family in their own language
Both children and parents benefit when imprisoned parents are supported in maintaining their parenting role while in prison, even if this is diminished
Small Changes..
BIG IMPACT!
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
Open communication
Children do better when they are given truthful information
Parents should share responsibility for providing information from the start of the process to its eventual conclusion
Decisions about how much children should be told should be reached in the best interests of the children (not those of parents)
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
Inter-agency collaboration is key
Four points for intervention
Arrest
Sentence
Prison
Release
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
Conclusion
Arrest and search policies and procedures need to align with the CRC
Best interests of affected children in parental sentencing (e.g. the proximity of the prison to the child’s home)
Adoption of Child Impact Assessments prior to sentence (e.g. status of the offender in relation to the child i.e. sole or joint carer, location of child’s residence, caregiving arrangements for the child following a custodial sentence)
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
Children’s rights
Maintaining contact with an imprisoned parent - right of the child rather than as a privilege for the offender
Right to maintain contact during remand as well as imprisonment
Informed about the purpose & nature of searches – carried out in child-sensitive ways
Restrictions on physical interaction kept to a minimum
The COPING project has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreement no 241988
Research report, conference presentations and research
instruments available at:
http://www.coping-project.eu
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Rebecca CheungSenior i-HOP Engagement Officer
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Potential for poorer outcomes: 25% of children of prisoners at higher risk of mental health issues.*
No routine identification ~200,000 children affected by
parental incarceration each year Stigma and isolation
What’s the need?
Image courtesy of NEPACS
How many children are affected across the North East?
*The COPING Project; Interventions and Mitigations to Strengthen Mental Health 2012
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
i-HOP: Who are we?
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
National one-stop information and advice service for professionals working with children and families of offenders providing:
Web-based knowledge hub Rolling programme of awareness raising
workshops Direct engagement with LAs to develop
strategic responses. Quality Assurance Tool Standards and Monitoring Toolkit
Partnership between Barnardo’s and POPS
Introducing i-HOP
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Raise Awareness at Practitioner Level
Tackle Stigma Multi-agency Response Engage User Voice Strategic Approach
Moving Forward
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Workshop 1: IdentificationWorkshop Facilitator: Stephen Sinnott, POPSLocation: Meeting Room 1
Workshop 2: Workforce Development Workshop Facilitator: Elle Laporte Butchart, NEPACS Location: Meeting Room 2
Workshop 3: Sustaining Awareness ‘Champions Scheme’Workshop Facilitator: Polly Wright, Barnardo’sLocation: Meeting Room 3
Workshop 4: Developing a strategic approachWorkshop Facilitator: Helen Attewell, NEPACS and Rob Brown, Stronger Communities (Middlesbrough)Location: Training Suite
Workshops
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
The Voice of the Child
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Coffee Break
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Helen AttewellCEO, NEPACS
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Planning for the futureHow do we score?
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Planning for the futureApplying knowledge, building a plan
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Planning for the futureNext Steps?
Barnardo’s Reg. Charity Nos: 216250 and SC037605 POPS Reg. Charity No: 1048152
Funded by
i-HOPNE2015 in partnership with
@barnardos_ihop
#iHOPNE2015 #childrenofoffenders
Questions to the Panel