National Institute for Social Work’s (NISW) research, Working with Families with alcohol, drug and mental Health Problems the needs of this group of children is still not being met. Kearney et. al., (2000) state that meeting the needs of this vulnerable group of children is complicated by under-recognition and under-identification of the causes of their difficulties and by the patchy accessibility and availability of help.
Surely Alcohol Concern and ChildLine’s study in 1997 gave amply evidence to the recognition and identification of the difficulties and abuse children of parents who were misusing alcohol, were experiencing. NISW, in their publication urge the Department of Health to introduce national guidelines about working with families where there is alcohol misuse, along the lines of the guidelines on drugs and families for the Local Government Drug Forum and Standing Conference on Drug Abuse.
Therefore, it is apparent that there is an urgent needs for intensive awareness raising and training so that everyone, including doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, lawyers and the police, through to the many workers who come into contact with children and families on a less formal basis, are competent to take account of the needs of children whenever adult drinking is identified. Also it is strongly recommended those planners, commissioning organisation, alcohol services and children’s service providers to cooperate together to meeting the needs of this group.
The government has indicated that it wishes to put the family at the centre of public policy; with a ministerial committee to make this happen. Tackling the impact of alcohol abuse would have been a good starting point. However, as stated previously, a national strategy for alcohol has still not been implemented. The Government has a central role in ensuring appropriate organisations can work together and in ensuring that the many planning systems already in place to provide services are fully equipped to take account of the needs of children of problems drinking parents. In particular the Government should require that the needs of these children be addressed in Children’s Services Plans and Community Care Plans. These should include specific guidance on how local service providers should view their obligations under children’s legislation and where necessary, ensure that resources are available to respond to identify needs.
As this evidence in this essay makes very disturbing reading, we have to be concerned, very concerned at the scale of this problem and how little is being done to combat it. Alcohol problems in families are important because families are important. The essential functions of the family are to meet the needs of its members for physical, psychological, social and economic security and well being, and the provision of a satisfactory environment for the support, education and socialisation of children. All of these functions can be jeopardised by the problematic consumption of alcohol. The paramount importance of the rights of the child to grow up in a safe and secure environment and in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding is enshrined in the United Nations declarations, particularly the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The right to a satisfactory family life implies a right to assistance in the event of parental abuse or misuse of alcohol.
REFERENCES
Brisby, T., S. Baker and T. Hedderwick. (1997). Under the Influence: Coping With Parents Who Drink Too Much London: Alcohol Concern. ChildLine, (1997). Beyond The Limit: Children Who Live With Parental Alcohol Misuse. London: ChildLine. Department of Health, Department for Education and Employment, (1999). Working Together To Safeguard Children. London: HMSO. Department of Health, Department for Education and Employment and Home Office, (2000). Framework For The Assessment Of Children In Need And Their Families. London: HMSO. Green, L. (2000). ‘Alcohol Treatment Anonymous,’ in Community Care. 24-30 August. Kearney, P., E Levin and G Rosen. (2000). Working With Families: Alcohol, Drug And Mental Health Problems. London: National Institute For Social Workers. Velleman, R. (1993). Alcohol And The Family. London: Institute Of Alcohol Studies.