Children with a Parent in Prison England and Wales: A Hidden Population of Young Carers. Issue 2 (3rd April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leeson, Caroline; Morgan, Julia
• Is Part Of: Child care in practice. Volume 28:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 196
• Page End: 209
• Publication Date: 2022-04-03
• Subjects: Prison -- young carers; Child care -- Periodicals; Child health services -- Periodicals; Child welfare -- Periodicals; 362.709416
• DOI: 10.1080/13575279.2019.1680531
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1357-5279

Abstract

ABSTRACT: There are over 200, 000 children in the UK who are affected by parental imprisonment [Barnardo's, 2014. Children affected by parental imprisonment. http://www.barnardos.org.uk/what_we_do/our_work/children_of_prisoners.htm ]. Children with a parent in prison are expected to engage in a great deal of physical and emotional caring to support their family, work which often has a negative impact on their own physical and emotional well-being as well as their academic achievement. In this paper, the caring experiences of children with a parent in prison are explored using Dani and De Haan's [2007. Structural inequalities and inclusive Institutions. In A. Dani, & A. De Haan (Eds.), Inclusive states: Social policy and structural inequalities (pp. 3–38). Washington, DC: The World Bank] model of structural inequality to argue that the stigma and isolation experienced by children with a parent in prison is the consequence of a lack of political will to acknowledge the needs of a highly vulnerable group of children. It is contended that extending the eligibility criteria for young carers to include this group of children would significantly help to raise awareness, reduce stigma and offer effective support, thereby creating a more inclusive state. Whilst there is recognition of substantial deficits in the support offered to young carers, nevertheless, as a community, young carers are perceived more positively by society, meaning they have more constructive regard and fewer barriers to services than currently experienced by children with a parent in prison.