Developing an educational psychology service’s approach to supporting children affected by parental imprisonment

Parental imprisonment is an adverse childhood experience (ACE). A review of available literature identified possible ways in which children affected by parental imprisonment (CAPI) can be supported in school, and the role of the educational psychologist within this. The current study adopted an action research approach to supporting one educational psychology service (EPS) in the UK to develop its service offer for CAPI. The process and outcomes of the action research project are presented, including a ‘Best Practice Guide for Schools’ and associated training in supporting CAPI. Strategies for disseminating the significance of these findings to other EPSs aiming to support CAPI are discussed. Implications for practice, policy, and future research, including evaluating the effectiveness of this current study, are discussed. The use of a similar process to develop EPS contributions for other ACEs, are also considered.