Families Outside has opened bookings for their Falling Through The Gaps conference, a day of partnerships, learning, and action as they explore what life is like for families affected by imprisonment.

This conference takes place 9:30am – 4:30pm on Thursday 15 May 2025, at The Barracks Conference Centre, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ.

“Join the conference to be part of engaging talks, insightful workshops, and opportunities to meet other people who are passionate about making a difference.”

This year’s event will focus on what United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) incorporation means for children and families affected by imprisonment. As the UNCRC now part of Scottish law, Families Outside believes there is an urgent need to turn awareness into action, ensuring that every child affected by imprisonment has their rights recognised and their voices heard.

The event will be chaired by Cathy Jamieson, former Justice Minister and Chair of the National Prison Visitors Centres Steering Group. There will also be input from:

Eleanor Lindsay and Chris Ahern (from Perth & Kinross Council): Perth & Kinross Council has recently been involved in a project to increase awareness of Child Impact Assessments. The project has worked to change the narrative around children affected by imprisonment in Perth & Kinross to ensure that they are seen, heard, and supported.
Steph Scott and Naomi Griffin from Divided Households Project, Newcastle University: The Divided Households Project explores long-term effects of imprisonment on children and families and how prison social visits impact children’s mental health and family relationships, and how a rights-based approach can improve support.
The ASPIRE project: This is a 12 month research programme, funded by the Welsh Government, which explored collaboration between prisons and schools to inform a pan-Wales model of support for children in Wales with a parent in prison. The result shows what a rights-based, child-centred, strengths-based and collaborative model of support might look and feel like for children and young people in Wales.

Tickets are £95 each.

To book your place, or for further information, please visit the TicketTailor event page (linked for your convenience), the Families Outside website, or contact the conference team at Families Outside by email: events@familiesoutside.org.uk