The effects on children of the misuse of alcohol by one or both parents or carers are complex and may vary in time, which is why a thorough assessment of the child’s needs and any risk of harm to the child is important. In some cases the misuse of alcohol may be one factor which, when linked to domestic abuse or mental illness, may increase the risks to the child. See also Domestic Abuse Procedure.
The circumstances of children must be carefully assessed not only to consider immediate risks but also the long term effects on the child of their parents’ alcohol misuse.
The health and development of an unborn child may be affected by the parent’s alcohol misuse and require special care, which may interfere with the parent/child bonding process.
Babies may experience a lack of basic health care and poor stimulation and older children may experience poor school attendance, anxiety about their parents’ health and taking on a caring role for the parent or siblings.
The parent’s practical caring skills can be affected by the misuse as follows:
Professionals, when confronted with a child in an alcohol-misusing environment must ask themselves “What is it like for a child in this environment?”
Most young people will experiment and use alcohol at some time and some will drink to excess.
The following factors may indicate concerns warranting a child concern or child protection response to a child’s alcohol use:
The children of parents who misuse alcohol are at increased risk of developing alcohol problems themselves and of being separated from their parents. Research demonstrates that children who themselves start drinking at an early age are at greater risk of unwanted sexual encounters and injuries through accidents and fighting.
The assessment of children under Walsall’s Child Concern Model will assist in determining the level of vulnerability of the child and at what point a referral is made to Children’s Social Care Services under the Referrals Procedure.
Children’s Social Care Services will consider whether it is appropriate to undertake an Initial Assessment in relation to all referrals.
Where the criteria for a referral to Children’s Social Care Services are met, an Initial Assessment must be undertaken, and a Core Assessment considered, in relation to any pre-school age child living in an alcohol-misusing environment.
The assessment of a parent misusing alcohol will consider and take account of whether the person concerned is hiding or denying their alcohol misuse; whether they are engaged in any rehabilitation programme; whether they receive support from a partner, family or friends; the impact of the alcohol misuse on the quality of care given to the child and the day-to-day environment of the child.
Throughout the assessment process and where it is decided to call a Strategy Discussion/Meeting and an Initial Child Protection Conference, those agencies who have worked with the parents in relation to their alcohol misuse must be asked to contribute and invited to participate in and attend relevant meetings.
If the concerns are in relation to an unborn child, the maternity services must be involved and invited to attend the Strategy Discussion/Meeting, the Initial Child Protection Conference and, where appropriate, the Core Group.
If the concerns are in relation to a young person, then the relevant alcohol misuse service should be involved.
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