Children affected by parental substance misuse
Families who experience problems with alcohol and drugs can face significant challenges.
Parents struggling with alcohol and drug issues may not be able to care adequately for their children. This puts their children at higher risk of harm or neglect. Affected families often require intensive support to help them stay safe, well and together.
Our National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland sets out that all services working with families must consider the needs of children and their parents where vulnerability and protection needs are identified. This includes parental issues with alcohol and drugs.
In December 2021, we published a framework to improve support for families affected by harms associated with substance use. This framework is in line with our national strategy to address alcohol and drugs harms. It sets out the importance of ensuring that all family members have access to support to meet their needs.
Way Forward for Families Partnership Fund
We work in partnership with Corra Foundation to fund the Way Forward for Families Partnership Fund (WFFPF), which helps to deliver vital support to children and families affected by drug and alcohol issues.
Since 2001 we have provided annual funding to WFFPF, previously known as the Partnership Drugs Initiative (PDI), PDI that has been matched by Corra Foundation. This the funding goes directly to third sector services supporting children and families affected by alcohol and drugs. The WFFPF programme supports projects across Scotland and involves children and young people in decision making about services.
Safer Sleep for Babies
In 2024, in partnership with the Lullaby Trust, UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative and BASIS, Baby Sleep Information Source based at Durham University, we published new NHS Safer Sleep for Babies resources. The information for parents includes strengthened messaging on bed sharing and smoking, alcohol and drug use.
We also published an updated guide for professionals which includes information on how they can support parents to ensure their babies have safer sleep.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a descriptor term used to describe the range of physical, emotional and developmental differences that may affect a person if they were exposed to alcohol during pregnancy.
We are committed to preventing the harm caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy and to supporting those impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). That is why we have:
- published an Alcohol Framework (2018) which sets out a commitment to increase awareness of FASD and support improved diagnosis;
- made a commitment within the 2018 Programme for Government to “increase support for children and families affected by FASD”
- provided funding of over £1,100,00 to support the establishment of an FASD Hub in Scotland with the aim of providing support, training and advice to families, carers and professionals supporting children affected by FASD
- provided funding of over £2,100,000 to The Fetal Alcohol Advisory Support and Training Team (FAASTT) to allow the delivery of training to improve knowledge, attitudes and confidence in professionals working with individuals with FASD
- published a national neurodevelopmental service specification for children and young people (September 2021) – helping to ensure that children and families receive the support and access to services that meet their needs at the earliest opportunity
We have supported Adoption Scotland UK to establish the FASD Hub in Scotland – the first of its kind in the UK. Launched in June 2019 FASD Hub Scotland provide a tiered support service for parents/carers (adoptive and biological parents, foster carers, kinship carers and step parents) across Scotland who live with children, young people and young adults who have a history of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), with or without an FASD diagnosis.
The work of the Hub includes provision of a helpline, a dedicated Facebook peer support group, workshops and training to families and tailored support and advocacy services. The service extends to provide a point of reference and training for professionals who work with and support these families (social work, education and other third sector organisations/charities) within Scotland.
If you are concerned about a child or young person
Call 999 if they are in immediate danger
Call the police on 101 if you think a crime has been committed