Changes to prison release arrangements can affect children and young people in different ways.

They may feel worried, upset, confused or have questions about what the changes mean. Some children may want to talk about it straight away, while others may not want to talk about it at all.

There is no right or wrong way for a child or young person to feel.

If you’re a parent, carer or guardian, it may help to:

• Listen to their questions and concerns.
• Reassure them that their feelings are important.
• Answer questions honestly using language they can understand.
• Avoid giving more information than they need.
• Remind them that support is available.

Our Offender Release Helpline offers specialist support for children and young people affected by changes to prison release arrangements.

Our children and young people practitioners can provide:

• emotional support for children and young people who are worried about what is happening
• information and guidance to help them understand and cope with the changes
• support for parents, carers and guardians who are worried about a child or young person
• information and guidance for professionals supporting a child or young person
• help finding other support that may be useful.

Call our Offender Release Helpline: 0808 168 9280

When you call, you can choose the option for children and young people’s support to speak to the specialist team.

The Future Me Programme is our online peer support programme for children and young people aged 8 to 17 who are affected by changes to prison release arrangements. 

It provides a supportive space for children and young people to meet others who may be going through similar experiences, talk about what's on their mind and find ways to cope with uncertainty and change. 

The programme runs over five sessions and explores: 

• My wellbeing: understanding feelings and worries 
• My safety: thinking about what helps with feeling safe and who can help 
• My support: recognising the people you can turn to 
• My rights: understanding your rights and having your voice heard 
• My ways of coping: finding things that can help when life feels difficult. 

To find out more about the Future Me Programme or whether it might be suitable for a child or young person, call our Offender Release Helpline on 0808 168 9280.