Barnardo's Parenting Matters (Northern Ireland)

Parenting Matters have been working in NI prisons since 1996 and offers support to parents in custody, as well as children and families outside in the community.

The service works in partnership with Northern Ireland Prison Service.

Our aims are:

• To help families maintain and develop relationships while separated through imprisonment
• To support families where contact is limited or has broken down
• To ensure the voice of the child is heard and their rights upheld Work with parents in custody

The service works with parents at HMP Maghaberry and Magilligan (Adult male) and HMP Hydebank Wood womens prison and Young Offenders Centre.

Interventions include a range of group based programmes which explore issues for children, families and parenting at all stages of imprisonment, from remand to release.

1:1 support is also available for those parents who request specific or additional help during their time in custody.

Work with families outside:  Parenting Matters works with parents/carers to help them address the impact separation and imprisonment has on children. What to tell children, helping children express feelings, and how to support them pre and post visit is explored.

Work with children: The service offers family visits and activities which are additional to standard visit entitlements and which focus on the needs of the child. The visits allow children to meet mum or dad in a child friendly environment and provide opportunities for parent and child to engage in routine family activities such as sharing a meal together, engaging in play activities, having time to discuss and address any concerns children may have.