By Katherine Jenkins, Head of Family Support and Specialist Programmes at The Forward Trust
Hundreds of thousands of children around the UK are affected by parental addiction and imprisonment. This week offers a unique opportunity to reflect on two powerful campaigns that intersect in meaningful ways and put a much-needed focus on the needs of the child.
The first is Addiction Awareness Week, where this year, we want to get the nation talking about addiction. When I look back on our work with children and families affected by addiction, one thing is clear. Secrecy and silence give addiction more power. When families feel unable to talk about addiction, shame and embarrassment take hold and vital opportunities for support can be missed. Secrets rupture relationships and shake family dynamics to the point where harm is caused to every member of a family system.
The second campaign is a nationwide ‘Children with a Parent in Prison’ day, which takes place in the middle of Addiction Awareness Week, on Tuesday 25th November. Led by the charity Children Heard and Seen – their message is clear: ‘Hear Me, See Me’.
Both campaigns emphasise the vital importance of talking openly. At Forward, we know from experience that addiction can start to lose its power when we no longer keep it hidden. This is a focus of our Moving Parents and Children Together (M-PACT) programme, where children and their adult family members are supported to openly discuss addiction and talk about the impact it has on them. The importance of hearing children say for the first time - ‘I now know my parents’ addiction is not my fault’ - cannot be underestimated. This is especially important given the number of children impacted by parental addiction around the UK. Whilst the exact scale remains uncertain, the Children’s Commissioner estimated that between 2019 and 2020, around 478,000 children in England lived with a parent struggling with alcohol or drug misuse.
Just as parental addiction can have a long-lasting impact on children, so too can the experience of having a parent in prison. The National Information Centre on Children of Offenders (NICCO) delivered by Barnardo’s in partnership with Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), currently estimate that 310,000 children every year have a parent in prison in England and Wales.
All too often, children who have a parent in prison are forgotten about. From the arrest stage to sentencing and imprisonment, there are too many instances where the focus has been solely on the adult. This leads to children not receiving the vital help and support they need during an immensely upsetting, unsettling and difficult time. Children can face harm simply because their needs are overlooked, and rather than compassion and understanding, children can be stigmatised, socially isolated and ignored.
Children affected by parental imprisonment and addiction can face significant challenges, including physical and mental health struggles, educational difficulties and social isolation. These challenges, however, can often be avoided and the impact reduced if children are given the consideration, support and compassion they deserve.
Childhood is a critical time in our lives – our experiences during this crucial period shape the adults we become. Our work with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood shone a spotlight on this earlier in the year, with the launch of the Shaping Us framework.
So, let’s start talking – consciously and deliberately – about how we can proactively help children whose childhood is impacted by parental imprisonment and addiction. With the right support, children in affected families can thrive. Let’s keep the conversation going, not just for this week but for every week and take active steps to let them know that it is never, ever their fault.
You can help to change the conversation around addiction. Download our free Addiction Awareness toolkit to find out how you can take part in the campaign to get the nation talking about addiction.
To find out more about Children Heard and Seen and their campaign, visit their website.