The work on Child Impact Assessments is laid out within Prison Reform Trust's toolkit (opens new window). Initially developed to support children with a mother in the justice system, all the information within the toolkit also applies to children whose fathers are in the justice system, and the resources have been adapted accordingly. The toolkit contains an array of case studies and resources. The following documents from the toolkit are particularly helpful:
Guiding principles
The CIA Guiding Principles (PDF, 137 KB) document provides a summary of guiding principles for supporting for children with a parent in the criminal justice system, which place their best interests at heart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Child Impact Assessment Framework FAQs.pdf (PDF, 90 KB) provide a list of questions that organisations and individuals may have about using the Child Impact Assessment framework.
Child Impact Assessment framework
The Child Impact Assessment framework is available for children with a mother, father or brother who is in contact with the justice system:
Dads
- Child Impact Assessment for children with a dad in the justice system
- Accompanying notes for anyone supporting a child with a father in the justice system
Mums
- Child Impact Assessment for children with a mum in the justice system
- Accompanying notes for anyone supporting a child with a mother in the justice system
Brother
- Child Impact Assessment for children with a brother in the justice system
- Accompanying notes for anyone supporting a child with a brother in the justice system
Roles and responsibilities
A short roles and responsibilities guide has been created for professionals to provide clarity regarding the expectation of their role.
Who | Arrest/ Bail / Remand | Court / Sentencing | Community Sentence | Prison | Release |
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Police | Share fold out leaflet with person arrested and/or family, where appropriate. |
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Complex Needs Coordinator / Bail Officers | Speak to the person re: the impact of their arrest on their child and share information about the Child Impact Assessment toolkit. Where appropriate, invite the person to share information about Child Impact Assessments with their family. |
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Scottish Children's Reported Administration |
| Promote Child Impact Assessments (flyers/posters) within the Perth Hearing Centre and ensure Reporters are aware of the toolkit. |
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Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service |
| Ensure Local Victim Information and Advice staff (COPFS) are aware of the Flyer (paper or digital) to appropriately assist in signposting a victim or witness to Child Impact Assessments, where appropriate. |
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Defence Agents | Make clients aware of Child Impact Assessments, where appropriate, and the opportunities for children and young people to access support /mitigate the impact of parental or sibling arrest. | Make clients aware of Child Impact Assessments, where appropriate, and the opportunities for children and young people to access support/mitigate the impact of parental or sibling arrest. |
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Community Justice Social Work |
| Speak to the person re: the impact of their justice journey on their child and share information about the Child Impact Assessment toolkit. Where appropriate, invite the person to share information about Child Impact Assessments with their family. | Speak to the person re: the impact of their justice journey on their child and share information about the Child Impact Assessment toolkit. Where appropriate, invite the person to share information about Child Impact Assessments with their family. | Speak to the person re: the impact of their justice journey on their child and share information about the Child Impact Assessment toolkit. Where appropriate, invite the person to share information about Child Impact Assessments with their family. | Speak to the person re: the impact of their justice journey on their child and share information about the Child Impact Assessment toolkit. Where appropriate, invite the person to share information about Child Impact Assessments with their family. |
Judiciary |
| Promote Child Impact Assessments (flyers/posters) within the Perth Sheriff Court and ensure Sheriffs are aware of the availability of the toolkit. |
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Children's Hearing Service |
| Promote Child Impact Assessments (flyers/posters) in waiting areas and ensure Panel members are aware of the availability of the toolkit. |
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Prison Based Social Work |
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| Speak to the person re: the impact of their remand on their child and share information about the Child Impact Assessment (CIA) toolkit. Where appropriate, invite the person to share information about Child Impact Assessments with their family.
| Speak to the person re: the impact of their remand on their child and share information about the Child Impact Assessment (CIA) toolkit. Where appropriate, invite the person to share information about Child Impact Assessments with their family. |
Visitor centre |
| Display Flyer/ information about Child Impact Assessments and UNCRC. Speak to families about availability of Child Impact Assessments and provide details regarding how to access support. |
| Display Flyer/ information about Child Impact Assessments and UNCRC. Speak to families about availability of Child Impact Assessments and provide details regarding how to access support. | Display Flyer/ information about Child Impact Assessments and UNCRC. Speak to families about availability of Child Impact Assessments and provide details regarding how to access support. |
Family Contact Officers (SPS) |
| Remand - Speak to the person in prison regarding the impact on family / availability of Child Impact Assessment. Recommend that person signposts family to SPS website - Information about Child Impact Assessments and children's rights. |
| Speak to the person in prison regarding the impact on family / availability of Child Impact Assessment. Recommend that person signposts family to SPS website - Information about Child Impact Assessments and children's rights.
| Speak to the person in prison regarding the impact on family / availability of Child Impact Assessment. Recommend that person signposts family to SPS website - Information about Child Impact Assessments and children's rights.
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Throughcare Support | Speak to the person about the impact of their remand on their child/children. Where appropriate, invite the person to share information about Child Impact Assessments with their family. |
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| Speak to the person about the impact of their sentence on their child/children. Where appropriate, invite the person to share information about Child Impact Assessments with their family. | Speak to the person preparing for release about the potential impact of their return to the community on their child/children. Where appropriate, invite the person to share information about Child Impact Assessments with their family. |
Parole Board |
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| Parole Board members have awareness of Child Impact Assessments and consider information if/when presented. |
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Services working with Children and Families (Education/Victim Support, Skills Development Scotland, Social Work, NHS, Third Sector ) | Share details of / offer Child Impact Assessment where appropriate. | Share details of / offer Child Impact Assessment where appropriate. | Share details of / offer Child Impact Assessment where appropriate. | Share details of / offer Child Impact Assessment where appropriate. | Share details of / offer Child Impact Assessment where appropriate. |
Communications Teams | Communications shared on social media about the impact of the justice journey (parent and sibling). Share details regarding how to access support. | Communications shared on social media about the impact of the justice journey (parent and sibling). Share details regarding how to access support. | Communications shared on social media about the impact of the justice journey (parent and sibling). Share details regarding how to access support. | Communications shared on social media about the impact of the justice journey (parent and sibling). Share details regarding how to access support. | Communications shared on social media about the impact of the justice journey (parent and sibling). Share details regarding how to access support. |
Information sharing pathway
We have put together the following set of questions to help you decide if it is appropriate to share requested information.
Question 1
Has a child identified an action in their Child Impact Assessment that needs to be followed up outwith your setting, or they have asked their Assessment to be shared?
If No: Do not share. Explain to the child or young person why you cannot share.
If Yes: Go to Question 2.
If Not Sure: Check with your line manager.
Question 2
Do you have informed consent as outlined in your organisational guidelines?
If No: Check with your line manager.
If Yes: Go to Question 3.
Question 3
Could sharing information from the Assessment lead to any unexpected problems or harm?
If No: You can share the relevant section of the CIA. If the child asks for it, and it is appropriate to do so, you can share the whole document.
If Yes: Do not share. Explain to the child or young person why you cannot share.
*Information relating to child or adult protection issues should be immediately discussed and actioned under existing procedures
Tools and resources to support the This is Me, Child Impact Assessment
Tools and Resources for This Is Me; Child Impact Assessments (PDF, 82 KB) provides tips and resources which could support practitioners to carry out a Child Impact Assessment with a child or young person.
Evaluation form
If you have completed a Child Impact Assessment, either for yourself or supported a child or young person to complete the assessment, we would really like to hear from you.
- Children and young people who have completed a Child Impact Assessment can provide feedback via the Child Impact Assessment Survey - Children, Young People, Families with a family member in the Justice System.
- Professionals who have supported a child or young person to complete a Child Impact Assessment can provide feedback via the Child Impact Assessment Survey- Professionals supporting Children, Young People, Families with a family member in the Justice System.
Thank you for working with us to change the narrative to Seen, Heard and Supported.
For more information about any aspect of the use of Child Impact Assessments for children with a parent in contact with the justice system, please email ChildImpactAssess@pkc.gov.uk.
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