Practical and emotional support for families in Worcestershire with a parent in prison or about to be sentenced.

Launched by YSS at the end of 2020, Families First supports children and families from the point of arrest through to prison release, helping to reduce the emotional turmoil and anguish experienced by so many children and families across the county.

Hidden Victims of Crime

Nationally, an estimated 312,000 children are affected by parental imprisonment.  In Worcestershire this figure is estimated at 2,500.

The health and educational impact on these children is largely documented, yet they remain largely invisible because at present there are no systems in place to help identify and support these families.

Children and young people are too often the hidden victims of crime.

What is Families First?

Families First is delivered by YSS and sponsored by Worcestershire County Council and aims to support as many of these children and young people as possible by bringing together professionals and community organisations to design a response that will reduce the distress experienced by these children and their families.

Families First provides support and guidance in a safe space, to enable the whole family to cope with the demands of having a partner, and parent, in prison 

Examples of support may include:

• Expert advice and information to support families in navigating the criminal justice system from arrest through to prison release.
• Preparation for court and prison visits.
• 1:1 direct emotional and practical support for children and young people in relation to their parent's imprisonment.
• Whole family holistic support that acknowledges the needs of all family members while still recognising existing strengths.
• Practical support with housing, debt management and other practical issues arising as a result of parental imprisonment.
• Signposting and referrals to other partner agencies.

Referral Criteria:

• Families must reside in Worcestershire (imprisoned parent can be in any prison in the UK)
• Have a partner or parent of a child in prison (parent does not necessarily have to be a biological one)

                                    Or

• Have a partner or parent of a child about to be sentenced (parent does not necessarily have to be a biological one)
• Belong to a family with at least one child between 0-18 years

 

How to refer or contact us:

If you’re a professional:

To refer a family into the service please fill in this form.

If you’re a family who would like to have our support:

You can  self-refer by using this form.

If you are unable to access the above forms please email [email protected] to request a form or if you would prefer to speak directly to one of our friendly Families First workers, please contact us on one of the numbers below:

• 07889 590 402 – Michelle (North Worcestershire)
• 07704 170 855 - Lia (South Worcestershire)

If you are a professional or a family living outside of Worcestershire and would like some advice or signposting around parental imprisonment, please give call us on 01905 730780 and leave a message and we will get back to you.

What happens next?

We will arrange with you a convenient time to contact you to discuss your needs, and together we will ensure you have the practical and emotional support you need. 

The support we provide is whole family focused and tailor-made to suit the needs of you, your children and your family.

 

I love the idea of this project, how can I support you?

If you would like to support us to promote the Families First project and get the word out there to families in Worcestershire, please download the Families First Open Letter and Poster to share on social media or to display in your local community.  

Complete our Survey

If you are a professional currently working with or aware of a family affected by familial imprisonment in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire, you can help.

Complete a quick survey to help us 

• understand if there is a wider need for this type of service 
• develop our service to provide the best possible support moving forward 
• understand how best to reach out to these families 

You will not be asked for any information that could identify the families. 

Just click on the following link and answer the questions:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3SCCG2G