Akamas

WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AFFECTED BY PARENTAL ISSUES

Learning Outcomes

To achieve this unit a learner must:

1. Understand the impact of substance misuse, mental illness and/or domestic abuse on parenting abilities.
2. Be able to plan an intervention to meet the needs of parents and improve parenting.
3. Understand the impact of parental substance misuse, mental illness and/or domestic abuse on children and young people.
4. Be able to assess the needs of a child or young person who has been traumatised by their experience of living with issues of parental lifestyle or mental health.
5. Understand the importance of care planning when supporting children and young people affected by parental issues.
6. Be able to contribute to preparing and reviewing a care plan for a child or young person affected by parental issues.

Content and Structure

MODULE 1

The Impact of Substance Misuse, Mental Health Issues and Domestic Abuse on Parenting and Caring

Introduction to the subject of substance misuse

• Defining substance misuse
• Incidence and prevalence of substance misuse among parents/carers
• Societal attitudes to substance misuse and social policy implications, treatment options, professional services available

Introduction to the subject of mental illness

• Definitions of mental disorders and mental illness
• Incidence and relevance of mental illness among parents and carers
• Overview of treatment options and primary and secondary professional services available

Introduction to the subject of domestic abuse

• Definitions of domestic abuse
• Theoretical models of domestic abuse
• Government initiatives and policy regarding domestic abuse

MODULE 2

The Impact of The Parental Issues of Substance Misuse, Mental Health and Domestic Abuse on Children and Young People

The impact of substance misuse on parenting and subsequent impact on children and young people

• Research concerning the impact of substance misuse on parenting
• Substance misuse during pregnancy
• The child's experience of growing up in a family where an adult carer misuses drugs and/or alcohol.

The impact of mental illness on parenting and subsequent impact on children and young people

• Research concerning the impact of mental illness on parenting
• The child's experience of growing up in a family where an adult carer has a mental illness

The impact of domestic abuse on parenting, children and young people

• Research into the effects of domestic violence and abuse on parenting and children
• What is the child's experience of growing up in an atmosphere of domestic violence and abuse?
• Implications for contact arrangements between the child and the absent parent where there have been allegations or evidence of domestic violence and abuse

MODULE 3

Helping children to survive and thrive

Determining the needs of children and young people affected by the parental issues of substance misuse, mental illness and domestic abuse

• Use of trauma theory and research to assess the impact on the child
• Strengths and vulnerabilities of children

Creating an environment in which a child feels safe

• Enhancing a sense of safety
• Helping children to make sense of their world
• Promoting and building resilience

Implications for meeting the needs of children and young people

• Multi-disciplinary working
• Placement planning implications, short, medium and long-term
• Self-care issues for those working with children who have been traumatised by the parental issues of substance misuse, mental illness and domestic abuse

Level: 4

Browsealoud Enabled Print Page About Us Our Partners Legal Info Contact Us Home