To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assistance is made available to children with one or both parents in prison (a) to maintain contact with their parents where appropriate, (b) to prevent unequal treatment of them and (c) for other purposes. (291852)

The Department recognises that many children of offenders are vulnerable and is working closely with the Ministry of Justice and National Offender Management Service to meet their needs.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Ministry of Justice will jointly publish a cross-Government framework later this year setting out recommended practice by local agencies and offenders services in identifying and supporting these children. The Department has also funded a range of innovative voluntary sector projects supporting families of offenders through the Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) grant programme.

In addition to this many prison establishments hold regular family days for visitors—enabling children to spend a longer period of time with their parent who is in custody. This will often involve opportunities for participation in family learning and play and sports activities, enabling offenders to interact with their children on a one to one basis. The Assisted Prison Visits Scheme operated by the National Offender Management Service also helps children maintain contact with their parent while they are in prison by meeting travel expenses where the child’s parent has a low income.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what support is given to children with one or more parents in prison, with particular reference to (a) maintaining contact with the parent or parents, unless this is deemed contrary to the child’s best interests and (b) preventing stigmatisation of and discrimination against them. (292526)

The Department recognises that many children of offenders are vulnerable and is working closely with the Ministry of Justice and National Offender Management Service to meet their needs.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Ministry of Justice will jointly publish a cross- government Framework later this year setting out recommended practice by local agencies and offenders services in identifying and supporting these children. The Department has also funded a range of innovative voluntary sectors projects supporting families of offenders through the Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) grant programme.

In addition to this many prison establishments hold regular family days for visitors—enabling children to spend a longer period of time with their parent who is in custody. This will often involve opportunities for participation in family learning and play and sports activities, enabling offenders to interact with their children on a one-to-one basis. The Assisted Prison Visits Scheme operated by the National Offender Management Service also helps children maintain contact with their parent while they are in prison by meeting travel expenses where the child’s parent has a low income.