Home Research Supporting children of incarcerated mothers: The case for a system navigator

Supporting children of incarcerated mothers: The case for a system navigator

Publisher/s

National Council on Family Relations

Publication Date

26 September 2025

Author

Corrie Williams, Tara Renae McGee, Krystal Lockwood, Carleen Thompson, Brian Jenkins, Diksha Sapkota, Janet Ransley, Susan Dennison

The goal was to explore service providers’ perspectives on coordinating support for children experiencing maternal incarceration in Australia.

Children with incarcerated mothers face significant challenges in accessing support services. Existing research lacks comprehensive insights into service providers’ understanding of systemic barriers and potential solutions.

Analysis revealed that existing services play a role in supporting children experiencing maternal incarceration, but barriers exist due to insufficient information sharing and system fragmentation. Service providers identified the need for a “system navigator” to help families navigate the complex support landscape. The current support system for children experiencing maternal incarceration is fragmented and lacks effective coordination mechanisms.

This study proposes a system navigation model to provide a more coordinated approach to supporting these children, with potential applications for policymakers and practitioners.

Supporting children of incarcerated mothers: The case for a system navigator

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