The NSPCC Helpline made over 1,000 referrals in the West Midlands last year due to concerns about parental alcohol and drug misuse. The helpline highlights the risks children face when parents struggle with substance abuse.
More than 7,000 children in the West Midlands were assessed last year due to concerns from parents about alcohol misuse. The NSPCC Helpline, a resource offering support and guidance to those worried about a child's safety and wellbeing, made 1,083 referrals to agencies in the region last year stemming from these concerns. The helpline initiates a referral when reported concerns are deemed serious enough to require further investigation or when a family requires support.
Parents who habitually engage in excessive alcohol or drug use can cause concern when this behavior persists over extended periods. This pattern often leads to chaotic and unpredictable lives, making it difficult for them to adequately meet their children's needs, thereby increasing the risk of harm. While this doesn't automatically equate to child abuse, it significantly complicates a parent's ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment. Consequently, children may experience neglect or abuse, potentially impacting their emotional wellbeing. Over time, parental substance misuse can expose children to various risks, including behavioral or emotional problems, poor school attendance or academic performance, physical and emotional abuse or neglect, and exposure to criminal activity. Substance misuse can negatively affect children at different stages of development. During pregnancy, alcohol or drug use poses significant threats, such as birth defects, premature birth, low birth weight, and withdrawal symptoms in newborns
Parental Alcohol Misuse Child Welfare NSPCC West Midlands Substance Abuse Child Safety
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