Voices Unlocked Ep. 10 | Sarah Beresford on Children Impacted by Parental Imprisonment

In this episode of Voices Unlocked Pod, Lorna and Liv welcome Sarah Beresford OBE, reflecting on how their connection began and Sarah’s journey from Scottish secondary school teacher into work supporting children affected by parental imprisonment. Sarah recounts a pivotal case where a pupil’s mother received a life sentence and no services considered the children, prompting Sarah to visit the mother in prison and help maintain parenting through school reports, teacher contact, and supported visits.

She explains Families Outside and her Churchill Fellowship research, and describes developing Child Impact Assessment resources. Child-led conversation tools adaptable for different family situations to help adults understand how children are feeling and what support they want, with room to change their minds.

We also discuss HMPPS Think Child, practical system changes driven by young people (like the clocks and kindness campaign), and the need for kindness, consistency, and sustainable funding for Time Matters.

00:00 Disclaimer and Support
00:34 Meet Sarah
01:03 How We First Connected
02:57 Teacher to Advocate
05:56 First Prison Visit
10:26 Leaving Teaching for Change
10:55 What Families Outside Does
12:34 Children Lead the Work
14:53 Child Impact Tool Origins
17:41 Making the Tool Usable
20:09 Opt In Not Statutory
25:06 Adapting for Every Family
27:23 OBE and Policy Impact
28:43 Next Project HMPS Think Child
29:12 Think Child Origins
30:59 Probation Leaflet Idea
32:36 Be Kind Message
33:58 Clocks And Kindness
35:21 Small Changes Matter
35:57 Photos Letters Memories
38:00 Why Not Keep Asking
39:04 Visit Rules Anxiety
40:50 Child Friendly Visit Halls
43:31 Time Matters Impact
44:31 Funding And Mentoring
47:50 Future Plans And Thanks
48:43 Gratitude And Wrap Up