When an adult gets sent to prison or caught up in the criminal justice system, their children are often the unseen, forgotten victims.

Our Children and Families Enterprise (CAFÉ) project supports such families in Kent.  It has been running since 2006 and offered vital, intensive support to over 600 families. An important element to the project is Lucy Wilks, our Young Persons Support Worker.

Lucy offers support to the children and young people in families affected by offending.  Despite the best efforts of parents, they are often struggling with issues such as domestic violence, substance misuse, homelessness and poverty.  All of these have a direct impact on the children so this is where Lucy’s support is so vital.

Lucy’s role typically involves help with parenting skills, ensuring families are engaged with relevant services, advocating on behalf of clients and offering emotional support to some of the very vulnerable families CAFÉ works with.  Lucy describes her role as being akin to ‘old fashioned social work’ - patient, persistent support for as long as the families need it. The ultimate aim is to move the families towards independence and reduce the likelihood of inter-generational offending.

Feedback from clients who use the service shows it has had a very positive impact at a time when some of the families have been struggling with trauma and chaos. 

These include young women like Suzy*, referred to the project by her Probation Officer who were concerned when she fell pregnant with her sixth child.  Suzy had been abused as a child and used amphetamines as a way of blanking out bad memories.  She was not engaging with any statutory support services.  Against her wishes, Suzy’s children had been placed for either permanent adoption or with foster carers.  It was doubtful whether her newborn would be able to remain with her.  However, with Lucy’s support Suzy co-operated fully with social services and willingly participated in drug tests which proved she was drug free.  Eventually, she was allowed to take her baby home and receive home visits from her other children.

The case is a prime example of how someone in an awful trap had no idea of what was expected of them from authorities and therefore they had disengaged.  By offering non-judgemental, kindly support Lucy was able to help Suzy grow in confidence, show she can be a positive role model for her children and a responsible, loving parent.