“I invite anyone who might come across a child who is impacted by the criminal justice system to talk to us! Ask us what we want and need. We want to be included in decisions that affect us. We can no longer be ignored.”
Aaron, whose father was in prison
Aaron (now 18) is one of the young people who co-developed the Child Impact Assessment framework with PRT Associate Sarah Beresford in phase one of this work (July 2021 to December 2022). PRT has today published a report summarising the outputs and outcomes phase two.
Funded by the Dulverton Trust and the Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust, the second phase of this work (from February 2023 to September 2024) focused on dissemination and implementation. With Aaron’s plea foremost in mind, Sarah delivered training on Child Impact Assessments to over 400 practitioners from a wide range of sectors, including education, health, social work, the police, prison and probation staff, and voluntary sector organisations.
Sarah also supported several pilot projects looking at integrating the use of Child Impact Assessments into existing systems and structures. Phase two demonstrated how important Aaron’s invitation is: children and young people want to be asked what they need, and Child Impact Assessments provide that opportunity: “This has made things better for me. I was able to say how I felt and what I needed.”
Sarah is currently working on phase three of this work: creating systemic change. It is clear that a whole system, multi-agency approach rooted in children’s rights is needed, and we look forward to reporting on phase three in early 2026.
