ABOUT KIDS VIP
The imprisonment of a relative affects children socially, emotionally and financially. Over 160,000 children in the UK are affected by the imprisonment of a parent or carer at any one time, with thousands of child visits to prisons every month. Prisoners and their children with closer family relationships are less likely to offend. Better quality visits help children to cope with their parent's imprisonment.They are victims too.
What we do
• Develop and share best practice concerning all aspects of visits in prisons.• Support, maintain and improve policy and practice relating to children visiting prisons.
• Deliver customised training and support to prison and play staff and other stakeholders.
• Provide speakers for conferences and other events.
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Our mission and values
Our mission is to support the prison service in sustaining and improving child-friendly approaches to children's contacts with their imprisoned relations, and to contribute to the development of first class policy and services in this field.
Kids VIP believes that
1. Children have a right to maintain contact with their imprisoned relations.2. Children affected by their relation's imprisonment are often socially excluded and vulnerable.
3. Children have a right to be treated with understanding, compassion and respect.
4. Good-quality, child-friendly visits.
a. enhance the experience of young people visiting prisons
b. add to the quality of prison visits for all concerned, as well as contributing to good order in prisons establishments
c. help the prison service in its aim of improving decency in prisons, aiding resettlement and reducing re-offending
d. are beneficial to society in contributing to breaking inter-generational cycles of crime, improving resettlement and reducing re-offending.
We are committed to
- 1. Promoting services within prisons to meet the needs and circumstances of children and families visiting prison.
2. Achieving high quality standards throughout our work.
3. Operating within an equal opportunities framework which promotes inclusion and values diversity.
4. Working closely and, where appropriate, in partnership with other agencies in the best interests of children affected by imprisonment.
5. Consulting our service users and other stakeholders as well as adapting to changing circumstances.
6. Working openly and accountably, though with all appropriate confidentiality.