Breaking Barriers Conference 2026

Driving innovation and impact for families affected by imprisonment

Driving innovation and impact for families affected by imprisonment

What will I do differently tomorrow to better support children and young people affected by imprisonment?

Last year Ormiston Families brought together professionals from across Suffolk and beyond to understand how having a parent go to prison affects young people.

This year’s conference is a return to that theme - and a call to action.

It will be a day of bold thinking, lived experience, and practical innovation as we get behind recent encouraging changes to government strategy whilst exploring what each of us can do right now to better support children and families impacted by the criminal justice system.

Together, we’ll focus on three powerful themes:

1. Seeing the Bigger Picture
   Understand the global, political, and legislative shifts that are bringing new attention to the needs of families affected by imprisonment -and why now is the time to act.
2. Hearing the Human Impact
   Listen to powerful stories from people with lived experience of imprisonment. Discover what happens when support is missing - and what young people and families tell us they need from services.
3. Innovating for Change
   Explore practical solutions and cutting-edge projects - from using Minecraft to reach young people, to school-prison partnerships and global networks. Learn what’s working, what’s next, and what you can do to be part of the solution.

A conference for policymakers, practitioners, educators, funders and advocates to connect, learn, and lead change.