1. Aberlour Family Support Service

2. Content Photographs Key Outcome Areas Family Recovery Trauma Model Early Intervention – The Best Start Issues Children & Families Face Snapshot of Statistics Good Practice Circle of Care

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6. Key Outcome Areas Work to achieve positive change in five key outcome areas: –Substance use –Resilience for children –Risk Reduction –Parenting –Life Skills

7. Children can remain with their mothers during recovery from problem drug/alcohol use Children can be supported to recover from the effects/impact of parental problem substance use Parenting & Life Skills support Recovery from trauma Family Recovery

8. 3-Stage Model Stage 1: Establishing Safety – Harm Reduction, Stabilising, Children Safe and Needs Met. Stage 2: Reflection – Explore Feelings/Experiences, Own experience of being Parented, Impact of Trauma and Building Positive Attachments Stage 3: Moving On – Improve Confidence and Self Esteem, Develop Community Links, Support and Maintain Positive Change

9. The Best Start Scottish Government Aims* GIRFEC, SHANARRI Pregnancy and Pre-birth Support – the best start Early Years Intervention and Support Never too late to “get my mum back” * GOPR - www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/04/2305 * The Scottish Government. (2013). Getting our priorities right: Updated good practice guidance for all agencies and practitioners working with children, young people and families affected by problematic alcohol and/or drug use. Edinburgh.

10. Issues Children & Families Face Trauma - childhood, adolescent, adult, mistrust, fear, low self esteem/confidence Health - poor diet, neglect, mental health problems, addiction related, access to services Relationship Breakdown - family disharmony, neglect, domestic abuse Homelessness - arrears, abandonment, risks, chaos, health Isolation - stigma, shame, guilt and remorse

11. Snapshot - 1 Year, 35 families Alcohol use - Problem drinking was an issue for 12 women with women disclosing long histories of drinking from a very young age - the youngest being 9 years old. Prior experiences of childhood sexual abuse and adulthood sexual assault - Twenty of the 35 women had disclosed histories of childhood sexual abuse and/or sexual assault/rape in adulthood. Prior experiences of domestic abuse and violence Nineteen of the 35 women had experience of domestic abuse and violence, with six of them considered to be at immediate risk of ex-partners.

12. Snapshot - 1 Year, 35 families Domestic Abuse - Nineteen of the 35 women had experience of domestic abuse and violence, with six of them considered to be at immediate risk of ex-partners. Physical health - Seventeen of the 35 women were dealing with a physical health issue: sleep disorders; severe headaches; eating disorders and under-nutrition; chronic pain arising from physical health conditions or past injuries; BBV s

13. Snapshot - 1 Year, 35 families Mental health - 30 of the 35 women had identified mental health problems, depression, anxiety, 8 recent suicide attempts and 4 self- harming. Criminal Convictions - 13 of the 35 women previous CJ involvement IMPACT - 24 children

14. Snapshot - 1 Year, 35 families Multiple needs - Almost all of the women were dealing with a drug and/or alcohol problem in addition to one of the other issues described above. Only three did not have experience of domestic abuse, sexual abuse/rape, or mental health problems. Six women had experience of at least one of these three issues, 16 had experience of two, and 11 had experience of all three. IMPACT - 24 children

15. Listening Belief and encouragement of change Focus on the individual - choices Empathy Bring out a person’s strengths Attitudes and values Good Practice = Positive Outcomes

16. Clear, honest Child Care and Protection focus and boundaries Respect parents and emphasise here to support positive change, whole family recovery Practical support, build relationship - “Stickability” Consistent, understanding approach More Good Practice…..

17. Circle of Care = Sustainability

18. Contact Details and Referrals Aberlour Family Support Service familysupport@aberlour.org.uk Tel: 0141 554 8181 ruth.mcdonald@aberlour.org.uk alex.cunningham@aberlour.org.uk familysupport@aberlour.org.uk ruth.mcdonald@aberlour.org.uk alex.cunningham@aberlour.org.uk

21. Challenges Service Faces The need for mothers to understand the origins and nature of their dependency upon drugs and/or alcohol, and the impact of such difficulties upon their ability to parent appropriately? As a result of this understanding, not only might they achieve abstinence and more effective and efficient ways of parenting their children, but more importantly their children would be safer, healthier, protected, and nurtured.

22. Good Practice “ Our project understands that whilst some female drug users have difficulties with the demands of parenting, destructive criticism does not work, there is a likelihood of negative consequences for the women and their children. “We need to listen to woman and develop services which would assist women, not condemn them”. “We need to tackle the levels of Trauma & the Level of chaos in their lives”

23. A belief that people can change There were two caterpillars talking one day, when a beautiful butterfly floated by, One caterpillar looks up and says to the other “You’ll never get me up in one of those things”

24. If you could choose one word to describe how you felt when you entered the service what would it be? “Excited about next stage of my life, however felt in denial” “Nervous” “A mess” “Relieved and scared” “Lost” “Scared” “Defeated” “Terrified” If you could choose one word to describe how you feel leaving the service what would it be? “Excited about moving on” “Anxious and scared” “Very accomplished and proud of myself” “Happy” “Proud” “Complete” “Fulfilled and confident” “Miracle” A Chance To Change

25. How to Refer 1.Phone call to Aberlour to make referral. We consider each case in close liaison with referral agency. 2.Arrange initial visit to service with family. 3.Plan admission with family and referral agency.

26. Contact Details and Referrals Aberlour Family Support Service familysupport@aberlour.org.uk Tel: 0141 554 8181 ruth.mcdonald@aberlour.org.uk alex.cunningham@aberlour.org.uk familysupport@aberlour.org.uk ruth.mcdonald@aberlour.org.uk alex.cunningham@aberlour.org.uk