Engaging Families

It is important for professionals and volunteers to be aware of their own values and judgments when working with families of offenders. The kit has brief information and support tips for workers when working with families of offenders. It is not an easy issue to talk about, particularly if the working relationship is new and it is hard for the family to come forward. It is not uncommon for workers to be unfamiliar with these issues and this can also make the family feel excluded from the services. Connecting with the family is the key ingredient. Important strategies include:

• Make it clear to the family that you are supportive of them and the issues they are facing;
• Separate your feelings about the crime from the experience of the family;
• Seek secondary consultation with the Family Counsellor at VACRO;
• Take time to engage, develop trust through positive support before entering difficult therapy;
• Learn about the media impact on the family - see Information Sheet;
• Include correctional focused questions as part of your initial assessment or intake form. E.g. Are you supporting anyone in the correctional system? / Is you family involved with the correctional system? However make them aware that they are not required to answer the questions to receive a services;
• Be transparent about the type of information you are collecting and what it will be used for.

The following are some resources which provide guidance about how best to engage families in this context:

• Jesuit Social Services Project - 'Conversation Starters'
• Port Phillip Action Framework - Increasing Children's Participation
• AFRC Briefing 2007 - Building relationships between parent and carers in early childhood

If a parent goes into prison leaving their children in the care of the other parent, the remaining parent may potentially be overwhelmed by their sole parenting experience. It is important to recognise the additional emotional and financial responsibilities that sole parents will take on in the absence of their partner. They are not only caring for their children but are often in the caring role for the incarcerated partner.

• Issues For Childcare workers: how to engage families of offenders
  
• Information for Maternal Child Health Care Workers
• Best Practice for Schools

This is brief information and support tips for workers when working with young people:

Supporting young people with a family member in prison

When the family member in prison is a young person)

In taking up their role of primary carer, carers may experience a range of difficulties at a time when they are least able to cope themselves. These include such matters as dealing with court orders, child custody issues, child protection issues and negotiating Centrelink. These difficulties are often intensified as a result of being thrust into the role without a lot of choice. carers may find it difficult to leave children with others, although they may need to leave employment to look after the children because of their unstable behaviour or their emotional state.

Grandparents as Carers

Young people as Carers

Assistance:

Carers may be eligible for Centrelink Family Assistance payments (either Family Tax Benefit A, or B) to help with the cost of raising children. Centrelink can also assist with Childcare costs. Visit a Centrelink office, call 136150 or Centrelink website

Carers may also be able to claim Medicare benefits for medical expenses incurred on behalf of the children they are caring for. Visit Medicare office, or see Medicare Website

Family Relationships Online also provides a range of information for carers: http://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/AboutYou/Carers/Pages/default.aspx

Centrelink information for Carers

Caring for the Children of Offenders

If you are entering prison and you have children

Parent Carer Handouts

Sole Parents

Dad's on their Own