Children at the Centre: Considering the Whole Child in a National Model of Support for Children with a Parent in Prison

The Welsh Government commissioned research to develop a national model of support to improve wellbeing and educational outcomes for children when a parent goes to prison, with a particular interest in collaboration between prisons and schools. Central to this ASPIRE project (Actioning a Schools and Prisons Independent Research Evaluation) were children’s rights, listening to the voices of children and families, multi-agency collaboration, evidence-based practice, and solution-focused development. Numerous studies highlight the potentially devastating impact of a parent’s imprisonment on children, but the existing literature is limited regarding what works in improving outcomes for children. Further, a disconnect exists between prison-focused policies promoting family contact and policies relating to the needs and rights of children. Few national policies refer to the needs of children with a parent in prison, and the rhetoric remains focused on the prevention of reoffending or on ‘breaking the cycle’ of offending and imprisonment within families. Positive pockets of support were notable in prisons, schools, and communities, but more work is needed to build on existing practice, promote existing services/resources, and support collaboration. This article considers what a national, rights-based approach to support should look like, recognising a parent’s imprisonment as one of many elements in a child’s life.