Parental Drug and Alcohol Misuse
The term “substance misuse” will refer to the problematic use of alcohol and/or prescribed / non-prescribed drugs (legal or illicit) including the misuse of volatile substances (e.g., butane lighter fuel, aerosols) and novel psychoactive substances (NPS).
Examples where parental substance misuse may impact a child’s development or safety:
- Pre-natal exposure to drugs and alcohol may affect the baby/child’s health before and after birth. Some effects will only become evident as the child develops; some will impact on the child for the rest of their life.
- Impaired parenting capacity: the use of drugs and alcohol can be an all-consuming activity that leaves little time or space for parenting.
- Medication / drugs / alcohol not stored securely.
- Substance misuse within the family home and the child witnessing the behaviour.
- Lack of finance for the provision of basic needs due to money being spent on drugs / alcohol.
- Disruption to household routines: Lack of consistency and boundaries resulting in chaotic and unpredictable lifestyles.
- Neglect: emotional, educational, and physical.
- Substance misuse coexisting with poor mental health and / or domestic abuse or parental conflict.
- Lack of a support system for the family.
- The child taking on the role of carer for the parent.
The short- and long-term impact on children will depend on a combination of factors including their age, level of understanding, personality, circumstances, coping strategies, and degree of external support. Additionally, children’s responses can alter over time as circumstances change and children adopt alternative coping strategies.
Protective factors, positives, and strengths to consider:
- Parents engage with services and comply with drug /alcohol treatment storing medication safely.
- The parent recognises the impact their drug /alcohol use has on their parenting and their child.
- There is a non-using parent who can care for the child.
- The extended family understand the drug / alcohol misuse and provide the children with consistent attention, support and can ensure that family activities are maintained.
- The child has positive nursery, school and or community experiences.
- The child is engaged in a wide range of activities, where they can recognise that they are separate from their parents’ issues to develop their own sense of self and self-esteem.
- There is a positive relationship between the parent and child.
- There is no other family disharmony.
Collaborative working
The most effective response to children and families affected by drug and alcohol misuse comes from all agencies adopting a whole-family approach. This is based on good communication and coordinating the support provided by adult and children's services to a whole family. The aim is to secure better outcomes for the children and adults through the use of targeted, specialised and whole-family approaches to address family needs.
Central to this approach is good collaborative working by using:
- Routine enquiry.
- Robust inter-agency communication and information sharing.
- Joint assessment of need.
- Joint planning.
- Action in partnership with the family.
Action
If parents say they have issues with drugs or alcohol:
- Enquire how they feel that their drug / alcohol misuse impacts on their child? How they minimise any effect? Do they have any support systems including extended family?
- If substance misuse services are not already involved and they would like support about their drug / alcohol issue. Direct them to Likewise Sheffield or encourage them to seek support from their GP.
- Speak to the parents about the Moving Parents Together Programme which they may want to access.
- Alcohol use can be calculated, and advice given by using the Alcohol Screening Tool with the parent.
Drug and Alcohol Misuse in the SCSP Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedure Manual
For further information relating to safeguarding children please consult Section 3.3.3 of the Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures Manual 3.3.3 Safeguarding Children Living in Families with Drug and / or Alcohol Misuse Protocol
For further information relating to substance misuse and pregnancy please consult Section 3.2.2 of the Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures Manual 3.2.2 Pregnant Women, Partners and Babies where there is Substance Misuse (MAPLAG)
Further Information
Parents with substance use problems: learning from case reviews Dec 2023 summary by NSPCC has key issues and learning for improved practice around parental substance misuse and child welfare.
Children and Young People Drug and Alcohol Misuse
Drugs and alcohol can often play a role in the lives of young people, whether that be curiosity, experimentation, recreational or in some cases problematic use.
Not every young person who uses drugs or alcohol develops problems, many young people experiment with substances and not all experimentation leads to continued use or misuse. For some young people and/or those where there are fewer protective factors, substance misuse can contribute to: Poor mental health and emotional wellbeing, potential issues at school, college or work, breakdown of family and peer relationships, and engaging in risky behaviours.
It is important that children and young people receive good education, information and advice about substances and their effects.
Risks
Drug and/or alcohol use by a young person does not on its own constitute Significant Harm. However, there may be circumstances where the young person’s drug and/or alcohol misuse raises safeguarding children concerns, for example:
- The substance use is unusual in view of the child’s age; consider frequency, amounts, substance type, environment, and method of use.
- You feel the young person’s use becoming increasingly chaotic or risky.
- The substance use is/could lead to the young person being involved with criminal behaviour including radicalisation and gang involvement.
- You are concerned the young person is being exploited or coerced in any way including sexual exploitation.
- An adult is involved in facilitating the use of substances or alcohol.
- The young person is caring for another child while under the influence of substances.
Support
- If a child or young person would like harm reduction advice, information or support around their substance use encourage them to access The Corner
- 16 – 25 Outreach support service offers group work and outreach programs, catering to young people between the ages of 16 and 25 spanning across the city, including universities and the nightlife economy.
Children & Young People Drug and Alcohol Misuse in the SCSP Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedure Manual
For further information relating to substance misuse and pregnancy please consult Section 3.9.5 of the Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures Manual 3.9.5 Children and Young People who Misuse Substances
Further information
Parental Substance Misuse - Impact of parental substance misuse