|
SHINE for Kids realises that visits are important for both children and their parent who is in prison. For children in particular visits can be emotionally nurturing, and help to reduce anxiety and fear. This anxiety and fear has often arisen after witnessing the horror of the arrest itself, therefore, immediate visits are extremely helpful and reassuring to children. We know, it is disruptive, scary and confusing for children and family life in general when a parent is absent and visits help to continue positive parent-child relationships. Our workers are skilled at negotiating the prison system and visit to ensure our clients have an enjoyable and positive encounter with their parent.
The Supported Children's Transport Service is a free service for individuals and there is a fee for service for government departments; it aims to assist those who have no possible way of having contact with their imprisoned parent unless we assist them.
What does the supported children's transport service involve?
The service involves transporting children to:
- visit their imprisoned parent(s) or carer(s)
- attend SHINE FOR KIDS Child Activity and Family Days
What are the aims of the supported children's transport service?
The key aims of the service are to:
- transport children safely
- assist children to re-establish and/or maintain positive relationships with their parent(s)/ carer(s) whilst they are in jail
The key outcomes of the transport service are to:
- foster the resumption of parenting responsibilities on a parent's release from jail
- assist an inmate's ability to reintegrate into their family when they are released
- improve the emotional, psychological and physical well-being of children of prisoners
Who is eligible to use the supported children's transport service?
A child or young person is eligible to use the supported children's transport service if they fit the SHINE FOR KIDS eligibility criteria, which are:
- the child or young person is under 18 years of age;
- they have one or both parent(s) or primary carer(s) who are affected by the criminal justice system;
- the imprisoned or ex-prisoner parent(s) or carer(s) can demonstrate a significant relationship with the child or young person;
- the child or young person lives in New South Wales or the Australian Capital Territory;
- they have no other practical/ appropriate means of traveling to visit their parent or attending the relevant group or function; and if the visit is in the best interests of the child or young person.
Some children have special priority for the service. Children who will receive priority for the service are:
- newborn babies
- children recently separated from their primary carer
- children experiencing severe trauma as a result of their primary carer's incarceration
Who assesses a child's eligibility to use the children's supported transport service?
The Intake Caseworker is responsible for assessing a child or young person's suitability to benefit from the children's supported transport service to correctional centres.
The Senior Caseworker or Bathurst Coordinator will liaise with the Transport Facilitator and through the Transport Facilitator with Transport Workers and/or volunteers who transport children and young people. Decisions in relation to a child's usage of the transport service may also be made by the TRAM.
Who is responsible for carrying out the transport service?
The Transport Service is carried out by Transport Workers and by volunteers.
All Transport Workers and volunteers:
- must have a satisfactory driving record as assessed at any time by the SHINE FOR KIDS Executive Officer
- will have been assessed as suitable to work with children and young people on the basis of the Working With Children Check
- will have successfully undergone a criminal record check by the Department of Corrective Services
- are trained in working with children and young people
Download the transport brochure WORD or PDF »
Read more on the services we offer children and families at SHINE for Kids »
|
