NCJ Number
225657
Journal
Child Abuse Review Volume: 17 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 2008 Pages: 454-462
Date Published
November 2008
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article describes the efforts in Brighton, England, to address the increasing problem of children at risk for neglect due to parental substance abuse.
Abstract
In 2006, Parents of Children at Risk (POCAR), an interagency intervention, was established in Brighton in order to address the needs of substance-abusing parents whose children had been assessed by child protection services as at risk or in need of care. The creation of POCAR followed the creation of the Brighton Oasis Project (BOP), a voluntary sector organization that had existed for over 10 years. It delivers services to women drug users and their families. Its focus on women substance abusers stemmed from a recognition that women drug users face barriers in accessing drug treatment under male-dominated treatment regimes. BOP contains a component of child care for the children of women engaged in treatment. BOP has worked closely with children and family services in developing effective partnerships, ensuring that child protection is paramount. All mothers referred to BOP as part of the POCAR program are assessed in order to tailor services to their needs. BOP does not adhere to one model of intervention. Rather it uses a combination of motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy. BOPs approach to child protection is clearly explained to participating women. The child care component of BOP accommodates the needs of children and babies with special needs, including fetal alcohol syndrome. Social workers whose clients are involved in the POCAR/BOP program, fathers as well as mothers, maintain frequent contact with the program in order to be informed about the client’s progress. An evaluation of the overall POCAR program to date is being undertaken. 2 figures, a case study and 10 references