MHS offers a child access assessment package in respect of substance misuse issues.
The package is based on many years of experience working within a multi-disciplinary setting based on tackling substance misuse and risks to children.
Child Protection and Substance Misuse.
Children should be safe and able to develop to their full potential and professionals should be able to assess the hidden harm from alcohol misusing parents.
Professionals working in alcohol / drug treatment services and parenting services have a duty to gather and share information about the family situation.
Where suspicions are aroused there is a need to consider if the child is at any risk.
The normal protocols for child assessment risks indicate what information is required about the child and the child’s carers.
Duty to intervene.
If there is a risk to the child then it may be appropriate for Child Protection Procedures to be implemented. Whilst it is the Local Authority’s duty under The Children’s Act 1989 to safeguard the welfare of the child all agencies have a duty of care.
Drugs and alcohol misuse
Where drugs or alcohol is an issue child protection procedures must be effective and implemented in a timely but multi-disciplinary way.
Responsibility for protection of children must be shared across agencies because children are safeguarded only when all relevant agencies and individuals accept responsibility and co-operate with one another. Often the Police and health professionals hold very relevant information that is often overlooked.
Objective evidence of substance misuse.
Prior to case conferences professionals may where possible, need to gather objective evidence of the levels of alcohol or substances being used by parents/carers. The nature of addiction is such that very little reliance should be placed on the information provided by the individual under investigation.
Training needs.
There are key training needs which often need to be addressed by relevant agencies to ensure that key professionals have sufficient understanding of what is required.
Specialist training companies such as MHS has years of experience in delivering this form of training.
Substance misuse can be measured very precisely using modern diagnostic technology. This includes hair and blood analyses conducted by approved laboratories.
We offer a comprehensive range of tools and expertise to provide courts with relevant information and evidence on the suitability or otherwise of allowing child access to parents with previous histories of substance misuse.
Child access
Call us now to find out more:
National call centre 01274 591792