An evaluation of a program supporting women in custody who have children involved in the child protection system. Under the program, child protection caseworkers are ‘co-located’ in NSW correctional centres. The program was found to be a well-designed, beneficial and much needed initiative with some improvements noted.

A significant proportion of female prisoners in Australia are mothers of minor-aged children, and First Nations women in custody are more likely to be mothers than non-First Nations women. It is well established that women in prison have gendered needs that have historically been overlooked.

Key findings

• While legislation and policy in New South Wales support contact between children in out-of-home care and their families, in practice contact between mothers in custody and their children is often limited.
• All participants involved in the program were enthusiastic about the outcomes it had achieved for women and children in a short period.
• The program demonstrates the potential to have far-reaching positive benefits for women in custody and children involved in the child protection system. 
• The program has the potential to improve interagency coordination and collaboration.

Recommendations for improvement

• More coordinated case planning between Corrective Services NSW and child protection services.
• Increase availability of programs to help women in custody achieve their child protection related goals.