The recently launched East Sussex Family Substance Misuse Service was developed by the County Council’s Children’s Services Department in conjunction with the county’s multi-agency Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT).
A multi-disciplinary service, the front line staff include health care and addiction specialists working alongside children’s social care practitioners. It is hosted within the county’s Under 19s Substance Misuse Service which has achieved national recognition as a model of good practice.
Councillor Meg Stroude, Lead Cabinet Member for Children and Families said: “Protecting children is our top priority and this service is about early intervention to protect the welfare of the children whose parents have problems with drugs and alcohol.
“We know that when parents are involved with substance misuse it can seriously impact upon their children and may cause a range of emotional, psychological and physical problems for them. This is about ensuring that timely and appropriate help and support is provided to strengthen and maintain family life.”
She added: “We believe this approach is pretty unique. While these support services exist elsewhere typically they do not join up the parents’ clinical treatment with the support work for the children.”
The service, which is currently working with 39 families across the county, receives referrals from social workers and health service professionals and in each case an assessment is made which then details a treatment plan which will be discussed and agreed with the family. The aim will be to reduce the parental substance misuse and increase positive parenting. Regular meetings are held to support the parents and ensure the well-being of the children.
Notes to editors
The Family Substance Misuse Service reports quarterly to a steering group which is accountable to the DAAT. The service steering group comprises representatives from East Sussex Partnership Trust, voluntary sector agencies, Hastings & Rother and Sussex Downs & Weald Primary Care Trusts, the Safer Communities Partnership Team, and the Children’s Services Department of the County Council.
The East Sussex Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) brings together representatives of all the local agencies involved in tackling the misuse of drugs and alcohol. These include:
- Primary Care Trusts
- East Sussex County Council
- the Police
- the Probation Service
- Social Services
- Education and Youth Services
- the voluntary sector.
The DAAT is responsible for delivering the Government's National Drug Strategy "Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain" and the National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy. Visit the East Sussex Safer Communities Partnership website for further information.
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