FOI Request - Drug and Alcohol Testing of Parents

Request 101003793733

We are gathering information about drug and alcohol testing that children's social care services in the United Kingdom carry out where there are signs and/or concerns that a parent's drug or alcohol use may be affecting their parenting.  We are interested in drug and alcohol testing that is not directed by the family court or part of family court proceedings.

1.  Does your organisation commission or carry out drug testing or breathalyse parents where there are concerns about substance use? Yes / No

2.  Does the organisation have policy and criteria for testing parents?
(i)  Yes / No
(ii)  If so, please share your policy and protocol.

3.  At what point in children's social care proceedings are tests carried out:
(i)  In the context of early help to families? Yes/No
(ii)  When Child in Need procedures are in place? Yes/No
(iii)  When Child Protection procedures are in place? Yes/No
(iv)  Post proceedings with the child at home? Yes/No
(v)  Other

4.  Who carries testing out:
(i)  Dedicated substance use social worker? Yes/No
(ii)  All social workers?  Yes/No
(iii)  Family support/early help service? Yes/No
(iv)  Substance use treatment service (on behalf of children's social care)? Yes/No
(v)  Other

5.  What substances are tested for:
i) Alcohol?  Yes/No
ii) Crack cocaine/cocaine? Yes/No
iii)  Illicit and prescribed opiates? Yes/No  
iv)  Cannabis? Yes/No
v)  Amphetamines? Yes/No
vi)  Benzodiazepines? Yes/No
vii) Ketamine? Yes/No
viii)  Methamphetamines? Yes/No
ix)  Other

6.  What kind of tests are carried out:
i)  Breathalyser? Yes/No
ii)  Oral fluid tests? Yes/No
iii)  Urine tests? Yes/No
iv)  Hair strand tests? Yes/No
v)  SCRAM alcohol bracelet? Yes/No
vi)  Alcohol blood test? Yes/No
vii) Other

7.  Where are tests conducted:
i)  Social services offices? Yes/No
ii)  In parents' homes? Yes/No
iii)  Substance use treatment services? Yes/No
iv)  Somewhere else? (Please state).

8.  Are samples analysed:
(i)  Immediately by social worker/substance use practitioner etc. Yes/No
(ii)  Sent away for analysis? Yes/No

9.  How is information about the test results conveyed to parents? (E.g. protocols for discussion about the test results and any consequences with parents).  Please describe.