New government pilot will identify children of imprisoned parents and connect them with support
The UK Government has announced a new pilot scheme designed to identify children with a parent in prison earlier and connect them with support services, as part of wider efforts to ensure they do not suffer long-term consequences because of a parent’s imprisonment. The initiative was announced on 8 July 2026 by the UK Government through the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Education.
The pilot, which will begin this summer and run until 2028, will bring together information already held across public services, including prisons, police and local authorities. For the first time, police forces in participating areas will share information with local councils when a parent enters prison. The Government will also combine existing data to help local authorities identify affected children and offer support at an earlier stage.
According to the Government, around 193,000 children in England and Wales have a parent in prison each year. Ministers say fragmented information sharing has meant many of these children remain invisible to public services, increasing the risk that they miss out on support for education, health and wellbeing.
Once identified, families will receive support tailored to their individual circumstances. This may include help with children’s emotional wellbeing, confidence and sense of belonging, alongside referrals to Family Hubs, health services, housing advice, youth services and relevant local charities.
Jake Richards said children with a parent in prison have been “invisible to the system” for too long. He said the Government had promised to stop children paying the price for their parents’ crimes and that the new pilot represented delivery of that commitment.
Josh MacAlister said no child should be defined by the actions of a parent. He said the pilot would provide support for children’s mental health, education and wellbeing, helping those affected to overcome challenges and thrive.
Lynn Kelly, Director of POPS, welcomed the announcement and said organisations supporting families affected by imprisonment would continue contributing to the development of the pilot to achieve the best outcomes.
The Government said the programme will initially focus on areas with high rates of parental imprisonment before informing decisions on potential expansion. It added that all data sharing will comply with data protection legislation and the Human Rights Act, with a full Data Protection Impact Assessment to be completed before implementation.