Substance misuse and child abuse and neglect bibliography

Over the past 10 years there has been an increasing interest in the lives of children in families affected by parental alcohol or other drug use. What remains relatively unexplored is how children and young people experience these lives and the way in which they are supported by the broad service system. This article reports on a project conducted in the Australian Capital Territory where young people talked about their lives. It stresses the importance of recognising that children and young people can be affected by their parents' alcohol or other drug use, and that it is important to spend time talking with them to gauge their needs and wishes and to adopt a collaborative and family-focused approach to responding to the needs of all members within the family unit.

A large body of international research has shown that the experiences of childhood can exert an enduring influence on an individual's life. However, there is a dearth of recent Australian research demonstrating connections between childhood experiences within the family, and outcomes in adulthood. This article provides prevalence figures for a range of childhood familial experiences (both positive and adverse), and examines the associations between these experiences and psychosocial outcomes in young adulthood. The paper uses data from the Australian Temperament Project, a longitudinal study of children's development that commenced in 1983 and has collected 14 waves of data over the first 24 years of life. Key findings suggest that positive development (or 'doing well') in young adulthood relies on the active investment of caregivers' love, affection and encouragement during childhood, rather than simply the absence of adverse experiences. They also indicate that although young adult survivors of childhood maltreatment may be faring adequately in the social sphere, they are still much more likely than others to suffer from internalising problems such as depression and anxiety.

"[This book] provides a multi-disciplinary analysis of current approaches to safeguarding children in the UK. It addresses the strengths, weaknesses and complexities inherent in the Government's objective of promoting opportunities for children through the 'Every Child Matters' (ECM) framework. This book identifies key tensions and dilemmas in areas of policy and practice, and a number of significant questions are raised, which, it is argued, need to be addressed if the aspirations of the ECM agenda are to be fully realised."--Book jacket.

This paper explores the use of various narrative practices with children and their families in child protection settings. The first half examine show a 'double listening' approach and the engagement of outsider witnesses can be used with children who have experienced trauma and abuse. The second half of the paper gives an account of therapy over a number of months, with a family struggling with the effects of violence, alcohol and depression. Externalising conversations were found to be very helpful in allowing members of the family to work together in response to these challenges, rather than working against each other. These conversations were also documented through digital photographs of a child's drawings on a whiteboard, which were then sent to the family as a form of therapeutic document. (Journal abstract)

Drug use has a significant negative impact on the ability of parents to provide safe care for children and an outcome of this is the entry of some of these children into out-of-home care. this poses particular challenges for service providers, not only because of the complex nature of addiction, but also the many other issues facing these families. This paper reports on studies conducted by the Western Australian Department for Community Development in 2004 and 2007 which explored parental drug and alcoholuse as a contributing factor in applications to the Children's Court for protection orders. The results of the 2004 study showed that parental drug and alcohol use was the second most common contributing factor in protection applications after neglect. It was also confirmed that drug and alcohol use rarely occurs in isolation, with strong links identified to neglect and domestic violence, as well as other factors, including physical abuse and homelessness/transient lifestyle. The 2007 follow up study further highlighted the co-existence of parental drug and alcohol use and domestic violence. (Journal abstract)

"[This book] brings together authoritative research exploring critical concerns for those working with vulnerable children, young people and their families. Subjects covered include stability, wellbeing and permanence, reunification, kinship care, educating vulnerable young people, child protection, domestic violence and parental substance misuse, the participation of disabled young people and advocacy services. [The author] discusses key issues for policy and practice in the development of quality services, including identifying and sustaining quality through involving stakeholders, integrated working and quality services, the development of policies, procedures and organisational processes and carrying out quality assessments, training and workforce reform."--Book jacket.

This study examines child protection cases involving parental substance misuse. Using data from child welfare services in South Australia, the authors investigated substance abuse as a risk factor in alternative care placements, the types of substance abuse involved, children's experience of abuse and harm, outcomes for children, whether families receive targeted services aimed at misuse and co-occurring problems, and what interventions and services are required to reduce risks for children in such cases. The study found that substance misuse was a significant factor in 70% of first-time entries into alternative care, and, when present, children are likely to have been exposed to more, and more complex, problems than other children in the child welfare system. The study also found that the advent of child protection services was the first gateway, or opportunity, for treatment for many parents, and could be used as a powerful catalyst for change.

In 2007, a national forum was held to discuss child protection issues arising from parental substance-use in Australia. It was co-hosted by Odyssey House Victoria and the Australian Institute of Family Studies, and was attended by practitioners, academics, and policy makers. Problematic drug or alcohol use by parents can have wide reaching effects on child and family outcomes, and more preventative strategies are needed. This report outlines the proceedings of the conference. Keynote presentations were given by Sharon Dawe on 'Children, families and substance use: the way forward', Dorothy Scott on 'Child protection when parental substance use is an issue', and David Best on 'The UK experience: the government's response to hidden harm'. As well as a panel discussion on current government thinking, group discussions were held on data collection and research, developing evidence-informed principles for practice, programs and interventions, and influencing the policy agenda. The Forum also produced a draft resolution statement to Government, highlighting the impact of parental substance abuse on children and calling for intervention.

The Parent Profiles Project examines the characteristics of parents involved in the Queensland child protection system. This third report focuses on prior contact with child protection services. Data was drawn from the Queensland Integrated Client Management System, analysing 695 households with substantiated harm or risk of harm to children against the Family Risk Evaluation. The analysis found that 26% of the households had a history of ongoing departmental intervention, prior to the current substantiation; 42% had at least one prior, non-ongoing notification; and 32% had no prior contact with the Department. Contact history was compared against parental risk factors, household type, type of harm, and multiple risk factors. These include parents with mental illness, parents with drug problems, parents who were abused as a child, domestic violence, Indigenous background, and households without two biological parents.

This publication summarises findings from a study on child protection cases involving parental substance misuse. Using data from child welfare services in South Australia, the study investigated substance abuse as a risk factor in alternative care placements, the types of substance abuse involved, children's experience of abuse and harm, outcomes for children, whether families receive targeted services aimed at misuse and co-occurring problems, and what interventions and services are required to reduce risks for children in such cases. The study found that substance misuse was a significant factor in 70% of first-time entries into alternative care, and, when present, children are likely to have been exposed to more, and more complex, problems than other children in the child welfare system. The study also found that the advent of child protection services was the first gateway, or opportunity, for treatment for many parents, and could be used as a powerful catalyst for change. The full report is also available.

This research review summarises the key messages from the report, 'Parental substance misuse and children's entry into alternative care in South Australia'. Page 1 outlines the potential impacts substance abuse can have on parental practices and child development, as well as the specific challenges and opportunities for child protection services. Page 2 provides a reference list of key Australian and international studies on the topic, including the impacts on children and evaluation of interventions.

In this submission to the Inquiry into the Impact of Illicit Drug Use on Families, the Institute looks at the familial risk factors for later drug use, family protective factors, the impact of drug use on families, child protection concerns, and involving families in treatment. Of particular concern is the intergenerational cycle of drug use. Negative family characteristics can increase the risk of illicit drug use, particularly children's experiences of inadequate parenting or child abuse or neglect, which are risk factors for later drug abuse. However, families can also be part of the solution, by promoting protective factors and with evidence that family-inclusive practice is more efficacious in the treatment of drug problems.

"The destructive relationships between substance misuse, domestic violence and their effect on children are complex, and this book brings together the facts and latest research to offer an authoritative overview of what we know. It reveals the vulnerability of these children and the extent to which domestic violence, parental alcohol or parental drug misuse impact on children's health and development, affect the adults' capacity to undertake key parenting tasks, and influence the response of wider family and the community. It includes parent's own voices and allows them to explain what help they feel would best support families in similar situations. The authors also explore the response of children's services: the extent to which current local authority plans, procedures, joint protocols and training effectively support information sharing and collaborative working. They draw from the finding implications for policy and practice in both children and adult services."

This report presents findings and recommendations of the Australian Government's Inquiry into the Impact of Illicit Drug use on Families. The inquiry focused on the financial, social and personal costs to families who have a member using illicit drugs, the impact of harm minimisation programs and policies, and ways to strengthen these families. Other topics include illicit drug use in Australia, impact of parental drug use on children, school and public education, family inclusive treatment programs, drug induced psychoses and mental illness, immediate and indirect costs of drug use, and grandparent care. The inquiry supports a zero tolerance approach to illicit drug use, finding that harm minimisation policies actually cause more damage. A dissenting report is also included.

"[This book] provides a critical analysis of ways in which risk assessment and management - now a pervasive element of contemporary policy and professional practice - are defined and applied in policy, theory and practice in relation to children and young people. Drawing on conceptual frameworks from across the social sciences, the book examines contrasting perspectives on risk that occur in different policy domains and professional and lay discourses, discussing the dilemmas of response that arise from these sometimes contested viewpoints - from playground safety to risks associated with youthful substance use. The contributors address issues of gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status which impact on definitions and responses to risk, and consider related concepts, such as 'risk-resilience', care-control' and 'dependence-autonomy'."--Book jacket.

This book dicusses theory, policy and research developments in the areas of child neglect, assessment of parenting capacity, the detection of neglect, and social work with neglected children. The definition and framework of neglect is considered, as well as reviewing what is known about best practice in intervention. This text is illustrated with examples from British social services.

The NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS) defines parental drug and alcohol (or substance) use as a vulnerability when it adversely affects parenting capacity and therefore affects the wellbeing and safety of children. It is estimated that around 50 per cent of child protection reports to DoCS involve drug or alcohol issues. This guide provides information on the way in which parental substance misuse can affect children, the harm minimisation approach to dealing with drug and alcohol issues, intervention to improve parenting capacity, evidence-based practice principles for working with vulnerable families, and a list of endorsed research and resources.

The parenting of people with a drug or alcohol addiction may be characterised by inconsistency, irritability, lack of energy and impaired judgment. The result of this, together with the social context in which parents find themselves and the absence of family or friendship support systems, may set up a dynamic between parent and child that can increase the risk of maltreatment. The increasing number of children affected by parental substance use is a social issue requiring action on a number of levels. This paper describes a program that works with families where substance abuse is in evidence. The Karralika Family Program, set up by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation Australian Capital Territory (ADFACT), works particularly with single mothers and children, but also with single fathers and couples with and without children. Extended families and friends are also supported in the community as part of a process of building resilience. The paper highlights the importance of a range of interventions utilised in the family program. (Journal abstract, edited)

This counselling role play explores several issues including anxiety, substance use, child rearing, suicide risk, relationship difficulties, financial problems and past sexual abuse. The video and the accompanying training notes aim to help viewers explore effective counselling strategies that support the client, explore the presenting problem, look at the broader picture, assess risk, offer the client a positive perspective, address underlying belief systems and move forward.

In this speech to the ACOSS Congress, the Minister outlines a proposal to assist children at risk of neglect, by managing the family benefits their parents receive so that funds are quarantined for food, clothing, housing and other necessities. Parents with substance abuse or gambling problems do not always spend their family benefits appropriately, and the state child protection agencies face doubled the number of cases than they did 5 years ago. As a result, intervention is needed to help children in situations where their parents are struggling. The Minister also discusses the problem of school of truancy.

"This briefing reports on the key findings from an ESRC funded study conducted in collaboration with ChildLine Scotland which utilised Child Line's unique caller information database to examine children's concerns about the health and well-being of their parents' and significant others'".--P. [1]

The National Illicit Drug Strategy Dual Diagnosis project aims to improve identification of and support for parents affected by mental illness and substance abuse, and reduce risks to children and young people who are affected by parental dual diagnosis. This article discusses: access to services for people with a dual diagnosis; the complex needs of families affected by dual diagnosis; the impact of dual diagnosis symptoms on parenting and on children; child protection; and resilience, risk and protective factors. It identifies needs for families experiencing dual diagnosis, integrated service delivery, information for children, parents and carers, training for service providers, and practice guidelines and assessment tools.

The difficulties experienced by drug and alcohol workers whose clients are also parents are highlighted in this article. The article outlines the extent of the problem and some of the factors associated with these particular parents that may prevent workers from successfully identifying children at risk. It discusses the difficulties for workers in developing sufficient awareness of the needs of children, and in judging whether or not adequate parenting is being given. It concludes with a discussion of the emotional responses from workers that may interfere with effective service delivery to parents.

The emergence of illicit drug use by parents and the development of kinship care as the preferred option for out of home care are discussed in this paper. The paper examines how parental drug use has changed the face of child welfare in Australia, and provides a summary of drug use from the early 1990s to the present day. It looks at past child welfare practices from the beginning of white settlement and discusses the growth of kinship care. The paper argues that greater resources should be provided to support this growing form of out of home care.

Western Australia's Department for Community Development lodged 326 care and protection applications in the calendar year 2003. A representative sample of 175 of these applications forms the basis of the research reported in this document. The objectives of the study were to identify the proportion of cases in 2003 where parental drug and alcohol use was a contributing factor to a care and protection application; identify the types of drugs most commonly used by respondent parents; explore the inter-relationships between drug and alcohol use and other contributing factors, together with the type of child abuse; explore the characteristics of the families who were involved in the care and protection applications in 2003; explore the history of the families who were involved in the care and protection applications in 2003; and determine the extent of other key agency involvement with the families who were involved in the care and protection applications in 2003. The report includes case studies; a comparison with similar research conducted in 2001; and the data collection sheet used for the analysis.

"This literature review examines what children say about living in families where there is domestic violence, parental substance misuse or parental health problems. It examines research undertaken in the UK from 1990 to 2003, to provide us with a better understanding of the range of children's experiences."--Book jacket.

"More than half of all child protection cases in several local authorities today involve parental substance misuse. What are the long-term effects on children born to such parents and exposed to such an environment? What must social workers know and do to address the needs of these children? And how can foster carers and adopters be supported in caring for them?"--Book jacket.

Family dependency treatment courts (FDTCs) are courts concerned with cases of child abuse and neglect involving substance abuse by the children's parents or caregivers. Their aim is to protect the children while providing the parents with the resources they need to become sober responsible caregivers. This paper presents the outcomes of a two day focus group session attended by teams from various FDTCs across the United States. Participants discussed various approaches to the development and operation of FDTCs, missions and goals for the courts, the place of the FDTCs within the U.S. justice system, and began working towards a national strategy for advancing the concept of FDTCs.