What are the challenges and opportunities for schools in supporting children of people in prison?

Children of people in prison constitute a ‘hidden’ group of children in schools and in education policy documents, yet schools have been identified as playing a key role in the support of these children. A small scale research project examined school leader’s perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that providing this support may bring. Four school leaders; a Head Teacher, a Deputy Head Teacher, a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and an Early Years Phase Leader, employed in different school contexts were interviewed to identify their experiences of working with this vulnerable group of learners. The school leader’s responses suggest that positive relationships between parents, children and staff are key in meeting the needs of children of people in prison and there were many examples of inclusive practice shared. However, the research participants also highlighted a number of challenges both institutionally and nationally which suggests there is still further work to be done to raise awareness and improve support for children of people in prison within education settings and beyond.