Children of prisoners: building resilience in a uniquely vulnerable group

Investigator

Dr Vicky Saunders (Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University)

Funding

ACT Health Directorate and SHINE for Kids

Aims

This qualitative needs analysis aimed to understand the unique needs of children with incarcerated parents and to identify effective individual, family, and community responses that can help build resilience. Commissioned by SHINE for Kids, the study sought insights from children, caregivers, and stakeholders to inform a collaborative approach to reducing the risk of long-term disadvantage for these children.

Background

Children of incarcerated parents face significant challenges and are often subject to higher levels of disadvantage, including poverty, family violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues. These children are more likely to encounter multiple and complex social, health, and welfare problems than their peers, leading to an increased risk of future system involvement.

Project details

The project engaged a number of significant partners and stakeholders. These included the funding bodies, SHINE for Kids and ACT Health Directorate. It also included caregivers and children of incarcerated parents, and other key service providers, including child protection, criminal justice, health, education and family support.

Method

• Conducted a qualitative needs analysis, including interviews with children affected by parental incarceration, their caregivers, and service providers.
• Examined the multiple systems involved in these children's lives to provide insights for improving collaboration among services.

Findings

The findings highlighted the importance of responsive and coordinated service systems to reduce children's future involvement in welfare, health, and criminal justice systems. They emphasised the need for tailored family and community supports that acknowledge the complex needs of children with incarcerated parents.

Projected community impact

Possible end-users of the findings are policymakers, service providers in health, education, family support, and criminal justice, as well as organisations supporting children with incarcerated parents. Increased awareness of the needs of this vulnerable group and a more inclusive approach to supporting their resilience and social inclusion is recommended.

If recommendations are integrated into practice, we could expect the following outcomes:

• Enhanced service responsiveness and collaboration among systems involved in the lives of children with incarcerated parents.
• Improved support for the wellbeing of children affected by parental incarceration, increasing their resilience and societal participation.

Long-term benefits could include reduced risk of future involvement in welfare, health, and criminal justice systems for children of incarcerated parents.

Publications

Flynn, C., & Saunders, V. (2015). Research with Children of Prisoners: Methodological Considerations for Bringing Youth in from the Margins. In S. Bastien & H. B. Holmarsdottir (Eds.), Youth 'At the Margins': Critical Perspectives and Experiences of Engaging Youth in Research Worldwide. Volume 4. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.

Institute of Child Protection Studies, SHINE for Kids. (2013). Supporting children of prisoners in the ACT: Program and report launch [Media Release]. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.

Institute of Child Protection Studies. (2013). Forum: Children of prisoners in the ACT [Media Release]. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.

Institute of Child Protection Studies. (2013). Children of Prisoners: An often invisible group [Media Release]. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.

Institute of Child Protection Studies. (2013). Seminar recording: Forum: Children of prisoners in the ACT [Rich Media Playback]. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.

Saunders, V. (2017). Children of prisoners - children's decision-making about contact. Child & Family Social Work, 22(S2), 63-72.

Saunders, V., & Barry, E. (2013). Children with Parents in Prison. Research to Practice Series, Issue 4, December. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.

Saunders, V., & McArthur, M. (2013). Children of Prisoners: Exploring the needs of children and young people who have a parent incarcerated in the ACT. Canberra: SHINE for Kids.

Saunders, V., McArthur, M,. & Moore, T. (2015). Not Seen and Not Heard: Ethical Considerations of Research with Children of Prisoners. Children of Prisoners, Special Issue of Law in Context, 32, 108 - 125.

Project timeline

Completed 2013

Contact

For more information contact: icps@acu.edu.au