A workshop on parental substance use and the impact on children and families, how social workers can support families while keeping the protection of children at the forefront; work with parents and the children, and in partnership across Child and Adult Care Social Work systems. Contributor: Aberlour

1. Aberlour Family Support Service

2. Content
• The Aberlour Family Support Service (developed with
GAS/Thenue)
• Photographs
• Key Outcome Areas
• A Recovery Journey
• Practice Model
• How to Refer
• Opportunity to discuss referrals

3. Exterior

4. Interior

5. Floor Plan of Individual Flat

6. Soft Play Area

7. What we do for families
Residential 24 hour Family Support Service
• Focus on Recovery from Alcohol/Drug dependency, Stabilisation,
Abstinence, Harm Reduction and Detox Programmes
• Short/Long Term Stay, Parenting Capacity Assessments and
Interventions, Direct work with children, Stabilisation for Pregnancy,
Involvement in pre/post birth Rehabilitation plans
• Work alongside Care Managers/Social Work towards admission;
partnership care planning and reviews (focus on pregnancy/early
years/early intervention)

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

9. The start of a recovery journey…
“I came to Aberlour on November. I came straight from a
woman’s hostel. I had a lot of problem and addictions. I was
also pregnant and in an abusive relationship, my partner was
in prison, so this was my chance to get in here without him
not knowing.
So I was coming in for a 21 day placement the day I got
here I made sure I had a lot of vallium cause I wasn’t walking
in to a rehab straight I got here and I was very defensive the
staff were great they know what I was up to. I was trying my
best for the staff to ask me to go or walk out but they are so
supportive.”

10. How Aberlour worked for me….
“So I stayed. I was here 2 weeks then I asked if I could get
the 6 months extension so I got it I was over the moon so I
started to go to groups everyday. The groups have helped
ma a lot.
Don’t get me wrong I struggled so much my ex partner got
out from prison so I struggled to stay but I did cause I had
my baby to think about. Its not all about me its about my son
this is a programme that will work if you let it. There’s no
point in being here if you don’t want to be here or if your not
ready for the help and support. You get all the help you
need here they have a group everyday its all different groups
but they are done to help your dependency, parenting,
domestic abuse, self esteem, that’s just a couple. “

11. A chance to change…….
“So this place has been a saviour to me I can only say this,
Aberlour is the only place that has worked for me if it wasn’t
for Aberlour I would be in prison or dead, but now I have the
chance to have a life with my son and be happy. Aberlour is
here for you if your ready if your not don’t waste your time
and theirs and give the next person the chance to change
their lives.”

12. A Day in the Life of….
• 7.00–9.00 support with morning routines
• 10.00 medication
• 10.30 dependency groups, children’s sessions
• 12.00 lunchtime support
• 14.00 parenting groups, children’s sessions
• 15.00 family support sessions/homework support
• 17.00 support with cooking/nutrition/life skills
• 19.00–21.00 support with evening routines
• 21.00 medication
• 21.00–23.00 individual support in flats
• 23.00–7.00 support as required
• 1:1 sessions with women and children throughout the programme

13. How we do it –
3-Stage Trauma 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

14. How to Refer
1. Care Manager will complete: “Readiness to Change; “Will
residential be right for me? Questionnaire”; Consideration
for a Placement Application
2. Along with Single Shared Assessment
3. Phone call to Aberlour to make referral
4. Appointment offered to complete Admission Assessment
within the service (within 48 hours)