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

Objective The goal was to explore service providers' perspectives on coordinating support for children experiencing maternal incarceration in Australia. Background 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. Method We conducted focus groups with 21 service providers experienced in supporting children affected by maternal incarceration. A reflexive and iterative thematic analysis approach was used, employing inductive and deductive coding methods to analyze focus group transcripts. Results 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. Conclusion The current support system for children experiencing maternal incarceration is fragmented and lacks effective coordination mechanisms. Implications This study proposes a system navigation model to provide a more coordinated approach to supporting these children, with potential applications for policymakers and practitioners.