children with both parents in prison

[marie47]

Who is awarded custody of the children if both parents are in prison?
If the grandparents are willing to look after the children will this happen automatically or are there procedures to follow?
Thanks

[Ethel]

Willing family members have guardianship - usually checked out by Social Services but unless there is a real problem that is usually okay.

Social services prefer that children suffer as little disruption to their normal lives as possible, so only in extreme cases would family be refused guardianship in favour of council care.