Substance Use (Drugs and Alcohol)

Safeguarding children where parents or carers use drugs and /or alcohol

Substance use may include experimental, recreational, chaotic and dependent use of alcohol and or drugs which may be acquired legally, illegally, be obtained with or without prescription and may be used singly or in any combination.

Substance use affects different people in different ways depending on what is used, how it is taken and the physical/psychological state of the person and their circumstances. The impact on the individual may range from negligible to extremely serious. Any drug, including alcohol, has the potential to impact on the adult’s ability to care for their children. 

Substance use (drugs and / or alcohol) does not on its own automatically indicate that children are at risk of abuse or neglect. However substance use may cause physical, psychological, social, interpersonal, financial and / or legal problems for the parents or carers that affects their ability to meet the needs of their children.

Parental substance use can impact on children of any age and the impact may be cumulative. Practitioners working with parents or carers should remain aware that use of substances is associated with harm to children, especially when combined with other features such as domestic abuse and / or mental ill health.

Children who live with adults who use substances may require additional services to ensure that their needs are met and it is essential that information is shared appropriately in order to aid the assessment of needs and risks.

What should I do if I have concerns about parental substance use?

If you are concerned about parental substance use you can find more information in the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Procedures.

Always discuss your concerns with the senior person in your organisation who is responsible for safeguarding and child protection.

If you are a young person, parent or carer, you can contact Derby or Derbyshire Children's Social Care or Childline to discuss your concerns.

Pregnant Women who use substances

Substance use by pregnant women can have a significant impact on the development of the unborn baby. Early help for the mother to manage the specific substance(s) that she is using should be obtained at the earliest opportunity. The midwifery service will provide expert advice and support the mother to link to the appropriate services.

If you are concerned about the impact of substance use, use the Multi-Agency Protocol for Pre-birth Assessments and Interventions to make sure the right action is taken at the right time.

Research by the NSPCC sets out the evidence to examine:

• the causes and consequences of infant abuse and neglect
• and effective and promising interventions during pregnancy and the baby’s first year.

The report includes new analysis into the number of babies under 1 year who are affected by parental substance use, mental illness and domestic abuse which are all important risk factors for abuse and neglect.

Resources 

Derby City Council have published drug and alcohol safety advice leaflets:

• Keep Safe: safe storage of Methadone, alcohol and other medication
• Keep Safe: alcohol
• Keep Safe: injecting equipment

Public Health England have also published a Dealing with a 'Mamba' overdose poster.