Mission

Established in 2014, Children Heard and Seen (CHAS) was founded to fill the gap in support for children impacted by parental imprisonment. With over 1,200 children and their families already supported, we stand as the only charity dedicated to serving children within their communities. Our commitment is to meet their needs, lend an ear to their concerns, and advocate for their voices to be heard and valued in policy decisions. The precise number of children impacted by parental imprisonment in the UK is not known. According to a recent study called Better Outcomes through Linked Data (BOLD) from the Ministry of Justice, it is estimated that over 192,912 children are affected each year. However, there is currently no formal process in place to identify these children and provide them with support. Children Heard and Seen is advocating for a change in government policy that would establish a method of identifying these children and offering them the necessary support. Children Heard and Seen embraces a holistic, whole-family approach, extending support to those who care for the child while keeping the child at the centre of the support. Our core values: Children with a parent in prison are supported during an incredibly difficult period in their life. Learning is formalised surrounding the experience of the children to build a solid evidence base for research-led policy that results in the implementation of a national framework of good practice around identification and support. Awareness is raised regarding the experiences of children with a parent in prison to influence social attitudes and reduce feelings of stigma, shame and social isolation.

Category

Children and Youth

Additional Information

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