Children Heard and Seen
Overview
Children Heard and Seen (CHAS) support children, young people and their families who are impacted by parental imprisonment. It is estimated that 312,000 children each year have a parent in prison, although there is no database of who these children are and whether they are receiving support. In their 8 years of operation, CHAS have worked alongside over 230 families and over 800 children and young people. The charity’s child-centred approach strives to support the needs of children with a parent in prison, listen to their concerns, and have their views heard and reflected in policy.
How to Access this Service
Self-referral. Please email, telephone, or message on one of the social medias and a worker will be in touch with to discuss what support they can offer.
When/Where?
Children Heard and Seen offer 1-1 support with trained staff, volunteer mentoring, parent support, peer support groups for children, online activities for children, and family activity days.
1:1 Sessions provide children with an opportunity to talk about fears relating to having a parent in prison and help children to understand the process of imprisonment by covering each stage of the custodial sentence. Group sessions combat feelings of shame by showing children that they are not alone. By speaking with other young people, children are able to share coping strategies and manage complex emotions surrounding their parent’s imprisonment.
Who is it for?
Children Heard and Seen offer child focused to support to children with a parent in prison in their own communities. They support families whether or not they have a relationship with the parent in prison.
