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9 Hidden Harm - The Way Forward
This document sets out a wide range of actions aimed at improving the way children and young people living with substance misusing families are better protected and supported. Many of these actions are already underway and are making a difference.
However, Scottish Ministers feel strongly that more work needs to done to ensure that all agencies give this important issue the priority it deserves and to ensure that Executive policies are translated into effective and timely action on the ground.
The key areas that Ministers have identified as needing further action include:
1 more effective identification of children at risk, including at the stage of pregnancy;
2 more effective communication between agencies, particularly between those dealing with adults and children, and including the sharing of information. The First Minister has already announced that the Executive will legislate to introduce a duty to share information for child protection purposes. However, more needs to be done to break down barriers and cultures about confidentiality that act as an impediment to sharing information;
3 re-training of social workers and other frontline staff in child protection;
4 ensuring that drug users with children undergo a multi-agency assessment, so that decisions can be taken on parental capability and care plans with timetables can be agreed and implemented. Ministers have asked that consideration be given to introducing contracts between service providers and parents that require the latter, with proper support, to bring their drug use under control so that they are capable of looking after their children. Consideration will also be given to random drug-testing as part of the contract;
5 a more interventionist approach by social work and related services in working with parental drug users to ensure adherence to care plans/contracts;
6 developing a new national fostering strategy, to build on work already going on to help support fostering even more effectively in the future;
7 improving advice on contraception, including links between addiction and sexual health services; and
8 examining governance, capacity and training to ensure that those working in this complex and challenging area have adequate support and advice, that they are clear about their and others' responsibilities and that they have the skills to do their jobs well.
Ministers have asked Executive officials to consider these issues in more detail, including the practical feasibility, resource implications and possible legislative requirements. Further proposals will be brought forward in the coming months as part of the ongoing implementation of "Hidden Harm".
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