Children Heard and Seen

Who we are

Children Heard and Seen is a national charity dedicated to supporting children and young people affected by parental imprisonment.

Founded in Oxfordshire in 2014, we are the only UK charity focused solely on supporting these children within their communities. More than 200,000 children are estimated to experience parental imprisonment each year, yet many remain unidentified, overlooked and without appropriate support.

We provide specialist one-to-one support, volunteer mentoring, peer support groups, family activities and residential experiences, helping children navigate the challenges of having a parent in prison.

Alongside our direct work with children and families, we deliver professional training, build partnerships and campaign for changes in policy and practice. We work to ensure that children affected by parental imprisonment are recognised, their experiences are understood and their voices influence the decisions that affect their lives.

Since 2014, we have supported more than 1,800 children and young people and their families across England and Wales.

Our culture and values

At Children Heard and Seen, we are a small, dedicated and ambitious team united by a commitment to improving the lives of children affected by parental imprisonment.

Our work is grounded in compassion, respect, children's rights and the belief that no child should be judged or disadvantaged because of the actions of a parent.

We value collaboration, creativity and the willingness to challenge established systems when they fail to recognise children's needs. We encourage our team to share ideas, take initiative and contribute to the development of our services and national influence.

Safeguarding, inclusion and meaningful participation are central to our approach. We listen to children and families, recognise their individual experiences and ensure their voices help shape our work.

Working at Children Heard and Seen means being part of a supportive, committed team where everyone has the opportunity to contribute to meaningful change.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Children Heard and Seen is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and creating a working environment where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect.

We recognise and value the different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives that individuals bring to our organisation. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in recruitment, employment, training and professional development, and to challenging discrimination, prejudice and inequality.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with lived experience of the issues affecting the children and families we support. Recruitment decisions are based on relevant skills, experience and suitability for the role.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants and employees and encouraging an inclusive working culture where everyone feels respected, supported and able to contribute.

Our commitment to equality and inclusion extends throughout our work, recognising that children and families affected by parental imprisonment can experience significant stigma, discrimination and disadvantage.