Fellow's Profile
Fellow's Profile
The role of schools in supporting families affected by imprisonment
Supporting the families of imprisoned offenders through school support programmes
2012
North West
I am an Associate of the Prison Reform Trust, specialising in children affected by parental imprisonment. A former teacher, my career changed direction after I supported three children whose mother was in prison. My 2012 Churchill Fellowship was the springboard to a new career focused on improving policy and practice for children with an imprisoned parent. My 2021 Activate Award resulted in the Child Impact Assessment resources, which help build an ecosystem of support around children, so they are heard, not judged; supported, not blamed; included, not left out. This can enable children to reach their potential and thrive.
From an off-the-cuff question as a teacher to lasting change across policy and practice, Sarah Beresford traces how curiosity shaped her Churchill Fellowship and everything that followed. She reflects on learning from other countries, turning insight into action, and how asking the right questions has helped centre children’s voices in the criminal justice system.
By Sarah Beresford, 22 January 2026
Prison Reform Trust Associate Sarah Beresford (CF 2012) was interviewed on BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour about the free Child Impact Assessment toolkit that she has developed to support children with a parent in prison.
By Sarah Beresford, 3 January 2023
Consultant Sarah Beresford (CF 2012) presented findings from her Activate Fund project at the Families Outside National Conference in Glasgow on 16 November. Sarah’s Activate Fund project focused on the development of a Child Impact Assessment to support children with a carer in the criminal justice system.
By Sarah Beresford, 28 November 2022
Prison Reform Trust Associate Sarah Beresford (CF 2012) spoke on a podcast published by justice charity One Small Thing this month. Sarah shared findings from her Fellowship which explored the role of schools in supporting families affected by imprisonment.
By Sarah Beresford, 30 June 2022
By Sarah Beresford, 13 January 2022
Prison Reform Trust Associate Sarah Beresford (CF 2012) was interviewed by the Centre for Justice Innovation about her Activate Fund project on 4 November. Sarah is using her Activate grant to pilot a new assessment framework for supporting children who have a parent or carer in the criminal justice system.
By Sarah Beresford, 30 November 2021
By Sarah Beresford, 3 August 2021
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
From an off-the-cuff question as a teacher to lasting change across policy and practice, Sarah Beresford traces how curiosity shaped her Churchill Fellowship and everything that followed. She reflects on learning from other countries, turning insight into action, and how asking the right questions has helped centre children’s voices in the criminal justice system.
By Sarah Beresford, 22 January 2026
Prison Reform Trust Associate Sarah Beresford (CF 2012) was interviewed on BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour about the free Child Impact Assessment toolkit that she has developed to support children with a parent in prison.
By Sarah Beresford, 3 January 2023
Consultant Sarah Beresford (CF 2012) presented findings from her Activate Fund project at the Families Outside National Conference in Glasgow on 16 November. Sarah’s Activate Fund project focused on the development of a Child Impact Assessment to support children with a carer in the criminal justice system.
By Sarah Beresford, 28 November 2022
Prison Reform Trust Associate Sarah Beresford (CF 2012) spoke on a podcast published by justice charity One Small Thing this month. Sarah shared findings from her Fellowship which explored the role of schools in supporting families affected by imprisonment.
By Sarah Beresford, 30 June 2022
By Sarah Beresford, 13 January 2022
Prison Reform Trust Associate Sarah Beresford (CF 2012) was interviewed by the Centre for Justice Innovation about her Activate Fund project on 4 November. Sarah is using her Activate grant to pilot a new assessment framework for supporting children who have a parent or carer in the criminal justice system.
By Sarah Beresford, 30 November 2021
By Sarah Beresford, 3 August 2021
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
