Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) recognises the uniquely important – and challenging – role played by those who care for children when their parent is in prison. Whilst each family’s situation is different, many caregivers may face similar questions: what should I tell the children? How should I speak to the school? How do I respond to the changing … Read More
Toolkits
A toolkit for frame reflective advocacy
COPE has produced a toolkit on frame reflective advocacy for and with children who have a parent in conflict with the law. This publication discusses how refining the ways in which sensitive, child-friendly language devoid of stigma or judgement can better protect and promote children’s agency and offers a series of tools and ideas for … Read More
Working with the police to safeguard children with a parent in conflict with the law
For many children, the arrest of a parent will mark their first encounter with the police. Witnessing the arrest of a parent can be frightening, violent and traumatic for the child. This does not have to be the case, however. Police officers can take action before, during and after an arrest, search or warrant in … Read More
Giving Kids a Chance
A toolkit on children’s right to direct contact with a parent in prison Child psychologists, social workers, researchers and other child welfare professionals are in consensus that the imprisonment of a parent can have long-lasting adverse consequences on the lives of children when they are not supported, and that reasonable steps should be taken to … Read More
Working with the media on behalf of children with imprisoned parents
This media toolkit is a communications tool for NGOs working with and advocating for children who have a parent in prison, and more broadly for families affected by the imprisonment of a loved one. From the outset, this toolkit has been written with medium-sized NGOs (about 15-20 people) in mind, although many of the methods, … Read More
Keeping children in mind: Moving from ‘child-blind’ to child-friendly justice during a parent’s criminal sentencing
Now available in six languages (BG, EN, ES, FR, PL, RO).
Reading Between the Lines: A toolkit to help schools support children with a parent in prison
In December 2017, Children of Prisoners Europe (COPE) published volume 6 of the European Journal of Parental Imprisonment ‘First port of call: The role of schools in supporting children with imprisoned parents’. The articles highlight the key role schools have in supporting children affected by imprisonment and explore the importance of Human Rights Education principles; … Read More