News
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- The Children's Parliament investigates an alcohol-free childhood
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- AFS publish Review of Licensing Board Annual Functions Reports 2017-2018
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- No place for alcohol marketing in sport
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- Scotland publishes first UK guidelines for diagnosing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
- The Alcohol Framework 2018 Preventing Harm
- Scotlands new drug and alcohol strategy launched
- AFS welcome new alcohol strategy
- Recent reporting on alcohol sales data
- Cross-Party Group Improving Scotland's health: 2021 and beyond October 2018
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- Drinks companies keeping consumers in dark about risky drinking
- Reducing alcohol consumption can address health inequalities
- Alcohol-specific deaths remain at very high levels
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- AFS welcomes minimum unit pricing for alcohol
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- Truer picture of alcohol harm revealed
- Focus on link between alcohol and obesity
- Alcohol causes 3,700 deaths in Scotland every year
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- Minimum pricing blog
- Minimum pricing gets green light
- Reflections on GAPC 2017
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- Time for honest conversations about alcohol
- Q&A on alcohol marketing
- UK children anxious about parents' drinking
- Quarter of Scots drink above guidelines
- Alcohol producers failing to inform public
- Concern over alcohol-related deaths
- We need to make it easier for people to drink less
- Worrying rise in alcohol-related deaths
- Minimum pricing will save lives
- Pocket money prices for alcohol continue
- Scotland's alcohol problem laid bare
- Cheap alcohol is costing Scotland dear
- One drink a day can increase breast cancer risk
- Poverty linked to increased harm from alcohol
- What next for reducing alcohol harm in Scotland?
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- Concern as funding for alcohol services cut
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- Scottish Government urged to curb alcohol marketing
- Consumers have the right to know health risks
- Chancellor urged to tackle cheap, strong cider in Budget
- Online help for families affected by alcohol
- Alcohol-free childhood is healthiest option
- SWA granted leave to appeal minimum pricing
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- Scottish Greens call for action on alcohol marketing
- Scottish Government receives European alcohol award
- SWA will appeal to UK Supreme Court
- Half of alcohol being sold under 50p per unit
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- Minimum pricing can be implemented in Scotland
- Alcohol sold at pocket money prices
- Scotland has so much to gain from reducing how much we drink
- AFS welcomes revised alcohol consumption guidelines
- Emergency services face shocking levels of alcohol abuse
- Every child has the right to grow up safe from alcohol harm
- Public health must prevail over big business
- New toolkit to help children affected by family alcohol problems
- Price check reveals cheap cost of strong alcohol
- Sales increase underlines need for minimum pricing
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- Alcohol linked with stomach cancer
- AFS calls for compulsory health warnings on alcoholic drinks
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- Scottish health charities call for excise duty rise to tackle cheap alcohol
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- 82% of Scots agree drink driving is unacceptable
- Scotland's alcohol strategy - what next?
- Scotland leads way in evidence-based alcohol policy
- New report reveals impact of alcohol on emergency services
- Alcohol: a global concern
New toolkit to help children affected by family alcohol problems
The Children Harmed by Alcohol Toolkit (C.H.A.T.) has been developed by Alcohol Focus Scotland to help the estimated 51,000 children across Scotland whose parents are harmful drinkers.
C.H.A.T. can be used in social work, family support and specialist alcohol services to support children aged 3-16 years who have been referred because of a parent or carer’s drinking. The toolkit includes stories, worksheets, puppets and games using different characters’ experiences to start conversations with children and families about the issues affecting their lives.
Harmful parental drinking can have a serious impact on all aspects of children’s lives, affecting their health and wellbeing, relationships and school life. Children in this situation can feel anxious, lonely, stressed, angry and confused. In some cases, basic needs may not be met and children can suffer neglect and abuse.
Talking to a trusted adult who listens without judging helps children realise they’re not alone and that they shouldn’t feel guilty about their parent’s drinking. Children are supported to find ways to cope and be happy despite their challenging home life.
C.H.A.T. can also be used with parents and other family members to demonstrate how alcohol is affecting family life. The toolkit is already being used in voluntary and public sector agencies across Scotland and has been piloted and independently evaluated in community justice settings, funded by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Graham Wordie from Drug Alcohol and Psychotherapies Ltd (DAPL) in Fife said:
“This is a really useful resource which we have been using to help children referred to our service because of their mum or dad’s drinking. I feel that the toolkit enables children and young people to voice their concerns in a safe and non-judgemental way. They use the toolkit to understand their own feelings, which builds up trust and empowers them not to be afraid to ask the questions they need to."
Alison Douglas, Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland said:
“Harmful drinking can have a terrible impact on children and their families. Sadly, many children suffer in silence but the creative and practical resources we have developed can help support workers and counsellors make a real difference to children’s lives. We hope that C.H.A.T. will be used in even more services across Scotland and reach the families who need support the most.”