'choose
life' - programme objectives
A full day module
on drug and alcohol misuse and the implications for the safety and well being
of children and young people. The aim of the module is to examine ways of
promoting and improving inter-agency working to allow children to be safe
and stay healthy.
“Chemical
dependence was present in at least half of the families who came to the attention
of Child Welfare agencies - little attention was paid to Child Protection
workers identifying and confronting substance abuse in families.”
DARE, DORIS AND WRIGHT, Child Abuse and Neglect.
We focus on:
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Background to
‘street’ drugs, e.g. heroin, crack, jellies, E, whiz temazzies
etc. (Includes our now famous drug quiz.)
-
Detox and Methadone
withdrawal. The module offers a drama portrayal of withdrawal from methadone
and an opportunity to experience what happens during the difficult period
of living with a heroin substitute.
-
Drugs parents
and personal attitudes - a moral issue?
-
The triad of drugs,
alcohol and mental illness.
-
The need for Information
Sharing and Assessment (ISA) and integrated planning, commissioning and
delivery of services.
-
The integration
of roles and responsibilities and the perspectives of the various agencies
involved. Blame cultures.
-
Honesty and openness.
Confidentiality.
-
Changing agency
cultures and exposing myths.
-
Engaging families
to provide support systems to achieve realistic outcomes in a spirit of
partnership and consent. Delegates will have the opportunity to listen to
the voice of the child - using our live Forum Theatre.
-
Assessing risk
– what to do with an incident of significant harm.
-
Assessment frameworks
including the Common Assessment Framework and the role of the lead professional.
“Some
substance misuse may give rise to mental states or behaviors that put children
at risk of injury, psychological distress or neglect – children are
particularly vulnerable when parents are withdrawing from drugs.”
WORKING TOGETHER TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN