What is parental substance misuse?
Many parents and carers drink alcohol or use other substances in moderation without causing serious harm to their children. The safeguarding concern arises when substance use becomes harmful and affects a parent's or carer's ability to provide safe and appropriate care.
Parental substance misuse can involve the long-term misuse of alcohol, drugs or other substances. This can include harmful drinking, alcohol dependency, regular or excessive drug use, drug dependency, or situations where substance use prevents a parent or carer from supervising their child appropriately.
Importantly, professionals should not focus only on addiction or dependency. Occasional substance use can still significantly affect a child depending on the circumstances, the substances involved and their effects on the adult.
How can parental substance misuse affect children?
Every family's circumstances are different, but parental substance misuse can expose children and young people to a wide range of risks.
These can include neglect, emotional or physical abuse, psychological harm, poor school attendance, lower educational attainment, inappropriate caring responsibilities and exposure to criminal activity. Children may also become involved in anti-social or criminal behaviour themselves, while the imprisonment of a parent or carer can create further disruption.
Substance misuse can mean that obtaining alcohol or drugs takes priority over the needs of the family. Children may consequently live without their basic needs being consistently met. They may also witness frightening changes in a parent's behaviour, aggression or domestic abuse.
Some children take on responsibilities well beyond what would normally be expected for their age. They may care for a parent or siblings, miss education because of these responsibilities, or even be asked to obtain substances for an adult.
Risks within the home
The home environment itself can become unsafe.
Alcohol, drugs and associated items may be left within reach of children. Used needles and syringes can create additional health risks, while dealers or other substance users visiting the family home may expose children to further danger.
Babies can be particularly vulnerable because they depend entirely on adults for their care. The training materials also highlight risks associated with substance misuse during pregnancy and with parents or carers co-sleeping with babies while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other substances.
What signs should professionals look for?
There is no single sign that proves parental substance misuse is taking place. Many indicators can also be associated with other safeguarding concerns.
Possible signs include:
- Hunger or malnourishment
- Poor physical appearance or dirty clothing
- Poor attendance or increased lateness
- Reduced educational performance
- A child appearing withdrawn, isolated or anxious
- Difficulty talking about home life
- A child talking about caring for parents or siblings
- Angry or destructive behaviour
- A parent smelling of alcohol or drugs or appearing intoxicated
- A child or young person using alcohol, drugs or other substances themselves
This is why looking at the bigger picture is so important. One observation may appear insignificant in isolation, but several concerns recorded over time can reveal a pattern in a child's lived experience. The guidance therefore emphasises keeping a chronology of concerns and observations.
A safeguarding concern may develop over time
Consider the scenario of Michael, a 17-year-old student.
Michael regularly arrives at college early and stays late. He has few friends and appears reluctant to go home. He has previously mentioned that his father "likes a drink" and that he and his mother stay out of his father's way. Parental-Substance-Misuse-Scena…
One day, Michael arrives distressed and explains that his father had been drinking heavily, became aggressive, smashed up the kitchen and locked Michael and his mother outside. Michael then reveals that incidents like this happen regularly. Parental-Substance-Misuse-Scena…
The DSL guidance identifies this as a safeguarding concern involving ongoing parental substance misuse and domestic abuse. It also demonstrates why earlier observations — such as Michael arriving early and staying late — become more significant when considered alongside later information. Parental-Substance-Misuse-Scena…
How should we support a child or young person?
Children affected by parental substance misuse need adults who will listen and take their experiences seriously.
Professionals should help the child understand, in an age-appropriate way, what is happening with their parent and what may happen next. They should listen to the child's experiences, ask what life has been like for them and identify who can provide support.
It may also be necessary to consider whether the child has become a young carer and whether additional support or referral is required.
What should you do if you are concerned?
Safeguarding concerns about parental substance misuse should be reported to your Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Do not dismiss information because it appears minor. A concern you report may add an important piece to a wider safeguarding picture already developing around that child.
Effective safeguarding may also require multi-agency working so that both the child and their family receive appropriate support. Most importantly, professionals should continue taking action until they know the child or young person is safe.
Remember
Parental substance misuse does not automatically mean that a parent is harming their child. The safeguarding focus should always be on how the parent's substance use is affecting the individual child, their safety and the care they receive.
Recognise the signs. Record concerns. Listen to the child. Share concerns with your DSL.
Sometimes one small piece of information can help reveal a much bigger picture.
Source: Safeguarding Network