I am honoured to announce my attendance at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Children Heard and Seen (CHAS) on 28th October 2024 at the Palace of Westminster. This charity plays a vital role in supporting children affected by parental imprisonment, and I am proud to be associated with their mission.

My involvement with CHAS stemmed from my work on Jade's Law, which led the charity to reach out for my legal expertise. They sought my insights on how existing legislation could be expanded to better assist children with a parent in prison, particularly in terms of how the Ministry of Justice can support these children upon their parent's release.

Back in April this year, I participated in a film produced by CHAS, which highlights the impact of parental imprisonment on children. The film emphasises the need for governmental reforms to support these children during their parent's incarceration and subsequent reintegration into their lives.

I take great pride in serving as one of CHAS's legal advocates, working on issues that affect these vulnerable children. I am committed to continuing this vital work with the charity, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are addressed.

Charity Overview:

Children Heard and Seen (CHAS) was established in 2014 to address the lack of support for children impacted by parental imprisonment. With over 1,200 children and their families already assisted, CHAS is the only charity dedicated to serving these children within their communities. Our mission is to meet their needs, listen to their concerns, and advocate for their voices to be included in policy decisions.

The exact number of children affected by parental imprisonment in the UK remains uncertain. However, a recent study by the Ministry of Justice, titled Better Outcomes through Linked Data (BOLD), estimates that over 192,912 children are impacted each year. Unfortunately, there is currently no formal process to identify these children or provide them with the necessary support. Children Heard and Seen is actively campaigning for a change in government policy to establish a system for identifying these children and delivering vital assistance.

For more information, please visit Children Heard and Seen - www.childrenheardandseen.co.uk