children

Is the harm still hidden? Inconsistent responses to Hidden Harm in specialist addiction services

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) report Hidden Harm (2003) outlined key deficits in the provision of services to pregnant drug users, drug using parents and to the children of drug using parents, while highlighting the extent of child exposure to parental drug use. In 2007, a follow-up report assessed what had changed in the intervening period focusing on examples of good practice and positive change. This paper is based on the results from a follow-up postal survey of managers of specialist drug services in the UK.

Good practice guidance for working with children and families affected by substance misuse

This document was published by the Scottish Executive in 2003.

The first part of this guidance sets out what is currently known about the extent of parental substance misuse and the impact on children.

Part 2 sets out what agencies need to ask of families when they present with drug or alcohol problems, and provides guidance to staff on identifying risks.

Part 3 offers advice on what kinds of help may be needed, and on how to work together more effectively.

Advocacy for Children and Young People in Scotland

This draft report summarises the key findings of a National Research Study conducted by the Advocacy Safeguards Agency. The study looked at why children and young people need advocacy, the laws relating to children and advocacy and the views young people hold about advocacy including what they would look for in an advocate. The report also identifies types of advocacy, barriers and enablers to advocacy, and examines the issues raised by adults interviewed about advocacy.

Ethnicity and child poverty feasibility study

This feasibility study was conducted to establish the potential for a research study of child poverty and ethnicity in the United Kingdom. It explored data sources that could be analysed by ethnic group and the questions relating to child poverty and ethnicity that they might answer. This was used as a basis on which to agree the coverage of the main stage report on ethnicity and child poverty (Research Report no. 576 due to be published in May 2009).

The summary report on the consultation responses, Strengthening for the future : the reform of the children's hearings system, 31 July - 24 October 2008

Summary presenting some of the key themes running through the responses to the Scottish Government's proposals for reforming the children's hearings system and giving an overview of the levels of support for the proposals.