Identifying and supporting children affected by parental substance misuse

This resource has been developed for the Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Information Service (ADEPIS) by Adfam, the national umbrella organisation for those working with and for families affected by drugs and alcohol, and is intended to be a useful tool to help schools in safeguarding their pupils. It summarises the key issues for children affected by parental substance use, and how schools can support them.

Key messages

• Parental substance use is not a problem that schools can solve alone, nor is it an issue they should turn a blind eye to
• Schools have both the responsibility and the ability to support children affected by parental substance use
Safeguarding is a matter of child welfare, not drug and alcohol expertise
• Existing structures/policies cover most of this work already, but added focus is needed

Associated links

Norfolk Safeguarding Children Board (NSCB) Protocol 10

Resource for schools