Family Matters

Alcohol and substance misuse affects thousands of individuals across Northern Ireland. There are increasing demands on our Children’s Social Services as a direct result of rising referral rates related to parental alcohol and drug misuse, domestic abuse and mental health issues.

At FASA, we have been looking more specifically at the issue of parental substance misuse, and the negative impact it can have on individuals within a family, specifically children. Approximately 40% of children on the child protection register as there as a direct result of parental substance misuse and 70% of our ‘Looked After Children’ are living away from home as a direct result of parental substance misuse.

What is ‘Hidden Harm’?

‘The term Hidden Harm is used because it vividly describes the situation of many children and young people affected by parental and/or drug misuse’ (DHSSPS, 2009). Quite often children and family members suffer in silence and therefore the damage being done remains ‘Hidden’.

• It is estimated that there are approximately 40,000 children in Northern Ireland living with parental substance misuse. It is often difficult for individuals to realise they need help with their substance misuse due to the fear of being judged or the consequences of their disclosure.

Impact on Children

Evidence has shown that parental substance misuse can have a short-term and long-term impact on children. For example:

• Harmful physical effects on unborn and new born babies
• Higher risk of emotional and physical neglect or abuse
• Social isolation
• Early behavioural and emotional problems
• Poor physical and mental health in adulthood
• Repeated separation from parents/ multiple care arrangements/ episodes of substitute care

Including fostering and care homes.

The Family Matters Project

‘Families are our client…Children are our priority’

The Family Matters Project works primarily with families where there is a concern regarding parental substance misuse.There appears to be limited information in Northern Ireland about the precise number of children born to and/or living with parental substance misuse. However it is for certain that parental substance misuse is an area of growing concern. The Family Matter’s Project delivers a vast range of services to families experiencing parental substance misuse. For example;

• Group work- Both for parents and young people
• Family mediation/ group conferencing
• Free counselling/ mentoring/ addiction services- available to parents, children and wider family
• Parenting support- one to one or in a group setting
• Therapeutic/ direct work with children- one to one or in a group setting
• Advocacy Service
• Liaison with other professionals
• Interventions will be catered specifically on the families/ individuals needs.

Principles Underpinning Our Work

Here at FASA we believe that a holistic approach is significant when working with individuals who are misusing a substance. Therefore the Family Matter’s project is designed to support all family members/ carers and extended family in order to achieve a more consistent, settled and safe family life. Some of the principles that underpin our work are:

• A non-judgemental/ empathetic approach
• A shared commitment to multi-disciplinary working
• Targeted prevention work
• Frequent review of needs and progress
• Building on strengths
• Services built on service user feedback
• Flexible work ethic on family diversity and needs
• A service that values the family and puts the child’s needs first