Aims & Purpose Background Theory How the Toolkit Works The Sentence Types of Prison NOMS Be Aware Behaviours Key Stages Arrest (Stage 1) Charge (Stage 2) Court (Stage 3) Starting the Sentence (Stage 4) First Visit (Stage 5) Serving the Sentence (Stage 6) Release (Stage 7)
Reflection
Aims and Purpose
The government's aim is for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have the support they need to:- Be healthy
- Stay safe
- Enjoy and achieve
- Make a positive contribution
- Achieve economic well-being
Children of prisoners often have unmet needs in all these areas (Ormiston report 2007). The toolkit therefore aims to be a resource for Sure Start and other front-line workers, in order to help them work with children and partners of people in custody, by providing a basic theoretical and practical framework (it is not a guide to therapeutic or legal interventions). The second aim is to offer support to practitioners to work in an arena which is part of our society but rarely spoken of and can appear overwhelming.
The purpose of this toolkit is to better equip staff to work with prisoners' families. Some of this material is specific to the criminal justice system, whilst others address common themes experienced by prisoners' families. Information and order forms for leading charities in this area are also included.
Each phase of the process also has brief guidance notes. Finally there are links to online resources which workers can use to quickly obtain information.
While there are many common themes and experiences, each family is different and will face the situation in its own way. The toolkit aims to provide a range of resources for workers to begin to find a way through these events. Its focus is on the whole family and aims to increase knowledge, and promote the confidence of staff. The reflective base is helpful in supporting staff to look at their own ways of working.
