Substance-Misusing Parents

Understand why parents come to depend on alcohol, drugs and tobacco to fulfil their various needs. Explore the physical and social effects of substance abuse on parents as well as their unborn babies, children and wider families. Learn where to access high-quality information and support for yourself and for families.

Children and their families need extra support when parents depend on one or more substances to fulfil their physical, social or psychological needs.

Against the backdrop of the National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services, this course will enhance your understanding of substance abuse among parents. It will increase your ability to recognise and respond to the effects of substance abuse on families, in the short and long term. You’ll also explore which agencies may be available to help and provide support for children, families and practitioners.

Course content

• The physical effects of alcohol, cigarette-smoking, chemical abuse and recreational drugs
• The effects on pregnant women and children
• The social construct and the effects of substance abuse on the family and other relationships
• Evidence for social, physical, emotional and other causes of substance abuse among parents
• Protection of Children
• Agencies and specialists providing essential information for professionals and families
• Developing appropriate care pathways for the family.

How you’ll learn

This course is delivered by distance learning, using our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Assessment

You will be assessed on your contributions within the VLE, in which you’ll explore the issues surrounding substance misuse in families and recommendations for practice appropriate to your profession to a maximum of 6,000 words.