A recent episode of Panorama reported that an estimated 1 in 20 expectant mothers in the UK are addicted to either drugs or alcohol. The programme showed mothers at Trevi House in Portsmouth, where an employee explained that it is the only place in England where mothers can be rehabilitated, whilst their children are in their care but that the cost per week would be around £1,700. The worker also explained that these costs would be paid for by the Local Authority, which would be much less than placing a child with a foster carer.
Support For Parents With Drug And Alcohol Addiction
What the programme did not discuss is that there are mother and baby units where mothers can be placed with their babies and where they are provided with support, e.g Dudley Lodge or Bonner House in the Midlands.
Also, Local Authorities do try and support mothers and fathers with drug and alcohol related issues through support agencies, such as Turning Point within the community.
There are even specialist Courts who deal with alcohol and drug related care cases, the Family Drug & Alcohol Court, commonly referred to as the FDAC Courts. At these Courts the aim is to work with the families to help parents stabilise, even stop, using drugs and/or alcohol and where possible, keep families together.
It seems therefore that the Courts have a number of options and that their approach is primarily to keep children within the care of parents and only remove them as a last resort.
How Nelsons Can Help
If you would like further advice in relation to the topics discussed above, please call 0800 024 1976 or contact us via our online form.