Think Child Week 2026: Strengthening Our Response to Children Affected by the Criminal Justice System
The HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) Think Child Campaign returns for 2026, offering a valuable programme of free, virtual learning for professionals working with children, young people and families.
HMPPS is the government agency responsible for managing prisons and probation services in England and Wales. Through this campaign, it works with partner organisations to strengthen how children’s needs are recognised and responded to within the criminal justice system.
Taking place from 29th June to 2nd July 2026, the campaign will bring together colleagues across safeguarding, education, health, social care and justice to explore how we can better identify and support children affected by parental imprisonment and the criminal justice system.
What to expect
The week will feature a series of engaging online sessions, combining expert insight, practitioner experience and the voices of those with lived experience. Key themes include:
- Strengthening probation and children’s services partnerships
- The hidden impact of parental alcohol misuse on children
- Supporting neurodivergent children affected by parental imprisonment
- Pregnancy, early motherhood and the first 1001 days
- Learning from national child safeguarding practice reviews
- The wider impact of imprisonment on families
These sessions are designed to be practical and reflective, supporting practitioners to apply learning directly to their day-to-day work.
Who should attend
This programme is open to practitioners and professionals across all partner agencies, including:
- Education (including DSLs and safeguarding leads)
- Children’s social care
- Health services
- Youth justice and probation
- Voluntary and community sector organisations
Why this matters
Children affected by parental imprisonment are often a hidden group within safeguarding systems. This campaign encourages all practitioners to “Think Child” in every interaction—recognising the broader family context and ensuring that the needs and experiences of children are not overlooked.
By supporting a shared, multi-agency understanding, the campaign aligns with the NYSCP’s commitment to strengthening safeguarding practice and improving outcomes for children and young people across North Yorkshire.
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