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Toolkit for alcohol workers

   Proposed minimum provision

Alcohol agencies should take account of the fact that many of their clients will have children, and that many of these will be adversely affected by parental drinking. As part of the service offered to the client/parent, an agency is duty-bound to help them understand the possible effects of their drinking upon their children and the steps that they can take, irrespective of attempts to reduce their drinking, to mitigate any adverse effects.

The standards to which alcohol agencies operate (QuADS*; DANOS** and The National minimum standards for care homes***) are as follows:

QuADS standards 17.2, 25.6, 37; DANOS units AB4, AB7, AB10 & AD1; National minimum standards for care homes standards 34.3, 34.8 & 35.6.

As a minimum, it is therefore proposed that:

• The agency should have, and provide clients with, a confidential policy which is clear about how information concerning children will be dealt with
• The agency should have a child protection policy approved by the local ACPC/Safeguarding Children’s Board
• The agency should have written material for parents on:
  - Steps parents can take to ensure their children are safe
  - Clear information on how children can be affected by a problem drinking parent
  - Steps parents can take to reduce risk of long term harm
  - What parents can do to build resilience in their family
• Staff training should cover the affect of parental drinking on children and staff should be able to advise on this issue
• The agency should have access to information on developing parenting capacity.

The following sections will help in putting some of these provisions in place.

* Alcohol Concern & SCODA 1999, Quality in Alcohol and Drugs Services – Organisational Standards for Alcohol and Drug Treatment Services.

** Drugs and Alcohol National Occupational Standards 2005

*** National Treatment Agency 2003, Staff Development Toolkit for drug and alcohol residential services – National minimum standards for care homes for young adults and adult placements