Children Heard and Seen

🚨We are releasing our film 'Invisible Children' this evening at 6.30pm. 🚨 The film can be viewed at this link below: youtube.com/watch?v=LsAaWC… This film demonstrates the importance of identification and support for children with a parent in prison. It highlights the need for this issue to be raised in Parliament and for immediate policy change to be enacted. Thank you to @KerryMP, who will be bringing forward a 10 Minute Rule Bill on parental imprisonment next Tuesday the 21st of May. Thank you to @Rachel_deSouza for supporting this Bill.

“𝗔𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.” This is how one parent described their experience on @BBCRadio4 @BBCWomensHour No guidance. No clear pathway. Just families left to figure it out alone. The latest HM Inspectorate of Prisons report highlights the importance of family contact — but for many, the challenge starts much earlier: Simply understanding how the system works. Families should not have to rely on chance, persistence or outside help to access basic information and support. 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. #parentinprison @HMIPrisonnews

Gemma Ahern witnessed her dad kill her mum, stabbing her 36 times — and throughout his sentence, he retained full parental responsibility. After his release, she was raised by her father and her stepmother. Reflecting on everything she’s been through, she said: “𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝗱'𝘀.” Too often, decisions prioritise the adult — even when children are the ones living with the lifelong impact. Children’s needs should always come first. “The children and those caring for them are the forgotten victims after incidents of domestic homicide.” — @SarahBurrows100 , Children Heard and Seen Children’s welfare must be the starting point — not an afterthought. @BBCNews @BBCWales #parentinprison #jadeslaw #domestichomicde Read the full article here - bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿? In 2026 some incredible supporters have already stepped up to raise funds for children with a parent in prison. Fundraisers are taking on challenges including: 🏃 Reading Half Marathon 🏊 10km Open Water Swim in Snowdonia ⛰ Lake District Ultra Challenge 🪂 Skydive 🏃 Chester 10K 🏃‍♂️ TCS London Marathon Every mile run, every stroke swum and every leap of courage helps us support children who are often the hidden victims of parental imprisonment. If you’ve ever thought about running a race, taking on an adventure challenge, or organising your own fundraiser, there is still time to get involved this year. Together we can make sure children affected by #parentalimprisonment are heard, seen and supported. 📩 Get in touch if you’d like to fundraise for Children Heard and Seen. info@childrenheardandseen.co.uk @GreenParkUK

In this powerful BBC story, Helena speaks about the devastating loss of her daughter, Izzy, who was murdered by a partner. No parent — and no family — should ever have to endure such a tragedy. Despite unimaginable grief, Helena is speaking out so that other women and families may recognise the signs of abuse and seek help. She describes the heart breaking reality facing Izzy’s children: “𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 – 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀.” At Children Heard and Seen, we are proud to stand alongside Helena as she continues to raise awareness and campaign so that other women and children do not have to experience the same loss. Sarah Burrows, Founder of Children Heard and Seen, said: “𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲.” Helena’s courage in sharing her family’s story helps ensure the voices of those affected by violence are truly heard and seen. To read the full article bbc.co.uk/news/articles/… @Tarahwelsh @BBCNews

Tonight we are incredibly proud to celebrate Harry and Jordan Bradbury, who have received a High Sheriff’s Award for their commitment to raising awareness and campaigning for children affected by domestic homicide. As children, Harry and Jordan experienced the devastating loss of their mother when their father was convicted of her murder — a trauma that left them without both parents. Instead of staying silent, they have chosen to use their voices to help others. Through sharing their story in the film The Children Behind the Headlines and speaking publicly about their experiences, they are helping the world better understand the hidden impact of domestic homicide on children. Their courage is helping to drive change so that children facing similar tragedies are seen, heard and supported. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. #domestichomicide #parentinprison

You can watch the film 'Children behind the headlines' on the link below youtu.be/qpuqxVA1Jic?si…

Today, on #InternationalWomensDay, we remember the mothers who have lost their lives to domestic abuse — and recognise the children whose lives are forever changed by that loss. Some children experience the unimaginable: losing one parent to domestic homicide while the other receives a prison sentence. At Children Heard and Seen we support children living with the impact of this trauma. Their experiences are complex, often hidden, and rarely understood. Too often the voices of those who lived through this as children are missing from conversations about policy and support. That’s why we are bringing together an advisory group in Westminster this April to listen to adults with lived experience and help shape better support for children affected by domestic homicide and #parentalimprisonment. If this was part of your childhood and you would like to contribute your voice, we would really value hearing from you. Our thanks to @KerryMP for sponsoring and supporting this important event. @ChildrensComm @CommissionerDA

In this powerful episode, Josh Connolly sits down with five extraordinary young people to talk about what it’s really like growing up with a parent in prison. The courage, honesty and maturity they bring to this conversation is deeply moving. They speak openly about shame, stigma, anger, confusion and loss — but also about resilience, ambition and the strength it takes to shape who they want to become. Too often, the voices of children with a parent in prison go unheard. What these young people share here is powerful, honest and important. This isn’t just a conversation about hardship. It’s a conversation about strength, hope and the remarkable young people behind these experiences. Thank you, Josh, for creating a space where these voices could be heard and for giving them the platform they truly deserve. Listen to the full Podcast on the link below - youtube.com/watch?v=EA0XbK…

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 Children with a parent in prison are often unseen in safeguarding systems, yet the impact on their emotional wellbeing, education and stability can be significant. This specialist online training supports professionals to better understand the realities faced by these children and how services can respond effectively. The training will explore: • The emotional, social and educational impact of parental imprisonment • Identifying hidden vulnerability • Safeguarding considerations for professionals • Trauma-informed, child-centred responses • Turning awareness into meaningful action in practice If you work in education, social care, youth services, health, or the voluntary sector, this session will help build confidence and understanding when supporting children with a parent in prison. Book your place: eventbrite.co.uk/e/198276987707…

This week, Children Heard and Seen delivered the first session of a new Prison Visits support group. Prison visits can be emotionally complex for children — bringing anxiety, uncertainty and difficult-to-name feelings before and after contact. The group provides structured space to prepare families, explore emotional responses, and reduce isolation. Led by Lulu, who brings both lived experience and professional insight from within the prison system, the sessions combine practical guidance with reflective support. Children with a parent in prison have the right to understand what is happening in their lives and to be supported through it.

Yesterday we were delighted to have the wonderful Bishop Rachel Treweek, the Bishop of Gloucester and HM Prisons, join one of our focus groups, to hear about children’s experiences regarding having a parent in prison. What changes they would like to see around visiting prisons and about support for children who have a parent in prison. We would like to thank Bishop Rachel and all of the young people who joined and shared their experiences and answered some challenging questions. It is so important to give children a voice where they can be heard. Here is a clip of Bishop Rachel talking about parental imprisonment in the House of Lords #itwasntme #parentalimprisonment

When you were a child, were you bereaved by domestic homicide and did your other parent serve a custodial sentence for the crime? A group of adults who experienced this as children are coming together on April the 21st at Westminster to form an advisory group for Children Heard and Seen. Children Heard and Seen support children who have experienced this trauma, and want to understand what interventions and support would benefit children now. Children’s lives change with different ages and stages, and we want to make sure that they have the right support at the right time. Please do get in touch at info@childrenheardandseen.co.uk if you would like more information about joining the group. #parentalimprisonment #domestichomicide #bereavement

🎉 Huge congratulations to the runner-up in the Lancashire Young Citizen of the Year Awards! 🏆 We’re so proud that Millie Rooney, 18, was named second place at the 2026 High Sheriff of Lancashire’s Young Citizen of the Year Awards! 🌟 Millie has used her own lived experience to become a national youth advocate for children affected by parental imprisonment — a group often overlooked and without statutory support. 💛 Last November, she spoke passionately in London at the first Children with a Parent in Prison Day, sharing her story with over 100 policymakers, Ministers, MPs, professionals and academics — helping to shape future support and influence policy. 👏 We’re so inspired by her leadership, courage, and commitment to making real change. Well done, Millie! 💪✨and Well done to all of the nominees you are all amazing and should be so proud Big thank you to Lancashire Partnership Against Crime (LANPAC) @LancsPolice @hsherifflancs @Uni_Lancashire for an amazing Event news.lancashire.police.uk/news/2026/febr… #YoungCitizen #YouthLeadership #ChildrenWithAParentInPrison #HearMeSeeMe

Thank you to Lord Mott for speaking out for children affected by parental imprisonment by proposing an Amendment to the ‘Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill’ in the House of Lords. He pointed out that in the discussion about vulnerable children facing disadvantages and barriers to fulfilling their academic potential, children with a parent in prison are one such group as they are so often invisible in data, systems and schools.  We strongly agree at Children Heward and Seen when he  said' that for some children affected by parental imprisonment, school can provide stability, routine and a sense of normality at a time of upheaval, and pointed out this can happen only ‘if schools are aware of the specific challenges these pupils face and are equipped with the knowledge and tools to respond appropriately’ and stressed the importance of increasing ‘awareness and understanding within the education system to enable better outcomes for a group of children who deserve greater attention and support’Here’s the full transcript. hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2026-02-…’SWellbeingAndSchoolsBill

Belonging grows when support fits around children’s lives — not the other way round. For children affected by parental imprisonment, traditional services don’t always feel safe, accessible, or possible. Taking support to where children already are — online, familiar, and on their terms — helps remove barriers and build trust. This Children’s Mental Health Week, we’re proud to stand with @Place2Be in highlighting why belonging matters — especially for children whose sense of “place” has already been disrupted. #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek #HearMeSeeMe

Thank you so much to Olivia Shelby for bravely raising awareness in The Sun about the complete lack of support for children who are left to fend for themselves when their parent kills the other parent. '𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭, 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵.' We are so appreciative to Olivia for mentioning Children Heard and Seen and the campaign to ensure every child impacted by domestic homicide is provided child-centred, trauma-informed support. Read the full article below: thesun.co.uk/fabulous/38130… @MarthaThursday

Thank you @ChildrenHandS and @KerryMP . Absolutely right to remind Government of its Manifesto commitment for children affected by parental imprisonment. We cannot check that children are safe, or make sure they have the care they need, unless we know who they are.

Thank you very much to @KerryMP for holding the government to their commitment to identify and support children with a parent in prison at this weeks Prime Minister's Questions in front of a packed House of Commons. It was disappointing to hear @Keir_Starmer's response however, that '𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦'. Over 20 months on from the government's manifesto commitment, we appear to still be in a period of consultation, meanwhile children are still being left completely alone in the house - without an adult to care for them - after a parent is sent to prison. I wonder what support the Prime Minister believes is in place to be strengthened? There is absolutely no statutory support, or even identification, currently for children with a parent in prison. This is why a national mechanism is so crucial - to mitigate the impacts of parental imprisonment so children can realise their full potential and flourish into adulthood.

"Honoured to be part of the Children Heard and Seen campaign in London last year with the @JRCSFoundation, and to speak on Good Morning Britain about the lasting impact domestic homicide has on children. Their voices matter. Always" - Roann Court, Domestic Homicide Survivor We are so proud to be campaigning alongside Roann to create real change for children impacted by domestic homicide. Every year, between 50-200 children are affected by domestic homicide. Shockingly, we do not know the exact number. For too long, these children have been invisible. Support is patchy and inconsistent, depending on where they live and who happens to be there to help. We are calling for: •Children’s voices at the centre: every child must have an advocate, and their wishes must shape every decision. •Children to be identified to the local authority when one parent kills the other parent. •Immediate specific training available for social workers, teachers and other professionals who are in contact with children affected by domestic homicide. This could be achieved within 6 months. Do watch our 12-minute film, The Children Behind the Headlines, for more information. youtube.com/watch?v=qpuqxV…