Question from Community Care – Project reduces number of children with substance misusing parents going into care

Project reduces number of children with substance misusing parents going into care

By Anne Nerva, Ave Price, Anton Derkacz, Vanessa Cropper and Neil Hunt

* In what ways do parental substance misuse problems impact on the well-being and development of children? (GUIDE TIME FOR DISCUSSION: 20 minutes)

* How can we best obtain an accurate assessment of the child’s perspective on their parent’s substance use, the way it affects them and what they would most like to change? (30 minutes)

* For social services the primary focus is the child, whereas substance misuse services are largely geared towards the well-being of their clients – adult substance users: given the tension between these priorities, what are the main obstacles to more effective interagency working between services in your district? (30 minutes)

* Regarding the management of substance misusing parents and their children, what do you perceive as the main gaps in knowledge and skills for a) social services staff and b) substance misuse treatment staff in your district? (30 minutes)