1. Fit for purpose?
Assess your service’s capacity to respond to
children young people and families affected
by substance misuse

2. Acknowledgements
Fit for purpose? was written by Sara Crowe and Ros
Shrubb with support from Mark Lee, Sally Weeks,
Jacqui Sirs and Julie Wilkes, Barnardo’s.
Special thanks to the Department of Health for
financial support, to colleagues from National
Children’s Bureau, National Society for Prevention
of Cruelty to Children, NCH,The Children’s Society
in the Children’s Charities working together for
drug prevention and to Barnardo’s colleagues:
particularly Moira Oliphant, Scotland; Brendan Nellis,
Northern Ireland and Laura Tranter, Cymru.
Barnardo’s helps over 120,000 of the UK’s most
vulnerable children and young people to have a
better start in life, and the chance of a better future.
www.barnardos.org.uk
Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

3. Contents
Introduction 1-2 Action plan 13 - 19
Guidance notes
Action plan
Defining categories of services 3-5
Primary category
Secondary category
Resources 20 - 21
Tertiary category Local resources and substance misuse
Self assessment checklists 6 -12 Detachable poster 22
All services
Secondary and primary services
Primary services
Government policy & initiatives 23 - 26
Throughout this pack: This pack has been developed by Barnardo’s with support from the
DAT – Drug Action Team is also commonly known as: Department of Health as part of the Children’s Charities working together
SMAT – Substance Misuse Action Team – in Cymru on drug prevention project.
DACT – Drugs & Alcohol Co-ordination Team – in Northern Ireland
Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

4. Introduction
Does your service have some involvement These are:
?
with alcohol and/or substance misuse issues? –– primary category services – those that routinely encounter alcohol and
substance misuse-related issues
Are you confident that all your staff are
–– secondary category services – those where alcohol and substance misuse
up-to-date and confident about handling related issues regularly arise
such issues in the most effective way?
–– tertiary category services – those where alcohol and substance misuse related
If you answered ‘yes’ to the first issues occasionally arise.
question, then this pack is for you. Who is the pack for
Fit for purpose is aimed at managers and their teams to help them to:
Fit for purpose has been developed to help managers answer ‘yes’ to the second
question too. Ultimately, it has been developed to improve services to children, –– classify their service into one of the three categories
young people and families affected by substance misuse.
–– assess the current position of their service
The pack’s aim is to enhance and complement your organisation’s service and
workforce planning system(s) by providing a simple method to ensure substance –– identify staff, including volunteers knowledge of substance misuse and the
misuse issues are addressed and not neglected. individual and group skills required
It has been developed to ensure your staff are able to access the best possible –– design an action plan to meet any gaps in knowledge and skills
help for children, young people and families affected by substance misuse.
–– direct services to valuable external resources which are available to help
For the purpose of this pack, services affected by substance misuse have been meet workforce development needs.
classified into three broad groups:
1 Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

5. Introduction
The information and resources materials were originally produced in Section 3
October 2005 and may need updating.
Confirm or revise your service category.
How to use this pack Section 4
Complete an action plan using the service category criteria, and local and
This pack can be used by a team, a small group from within a team or a national resources information. Guidance notes are provided.
service manager.Teams are likely to find it helpful to involve a learning and
development specialist, but this is not essential.
Section 5
The pack should be completed as part of regular service and workforce Implement the action plan.The local resources information can be displayed
planning and review. as a poster available for staff.
To use the pack, follow the steps below: Section 6
Section 1 Review the development work.
Use the criteria to identify your service category: primary, secondary or tertiary.
Section 2
Complete the self assessment checklists. Section one should be completed by all
categories of services; section two by secondary and primary category services;
and section three by primary category services only.
Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse
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6. Defining categories of service
For the purpose of this pack, services have been Requirements
1. There is a service policy in relation to drug and alcohol use which is known by
divided into three key areas. Please note that the staff and visible to service users via a public notice and information provided to
examples given are indicative rather than services users.
2. There are clear lines of accountability for any incidents and these are
prescriptive. It is quite possible that a particular incorporated into local safety rules.
3. Drug and alcohol information, which is age and language appropriate, is visible
service’s situation and ambition will dictate that it fits and available to all service users and staff.
into a category other than that suggested. 4. An identified member of staff is responsible for updating information.
5 The service provides information on local and national services including
FRANK, local treatment agencies and other support services.
Primary category 6. There is knowledge of referral agencies and processes.
7. There is a referral policy and procedure with a clear process in place for referral
Definition with regards to what, when and how, in relation to children, young people
A service where substance misuse related issues are routinely encountered and including young carers, adults, family, friends.
influence its work. All or part of the workforce has the required skills, knowledge
8 There are clear processes in place for joint working with regards to information
and experience to deal with alcohol/substance misuse issues that arise during the
sharing and monitoring.
course of the work.
9. There are links with local DAT (Drug Action Team)* systems to receive and
input information and participate on local substance misuse groups.
Examples of services 10. The staff know and understand what is meant by a harm minimisation approach
–– specialist substance misuse services providing treatment, advice and information, to drugs and alcohol and this is addressed through service and workforce
health education planning and development.
–– sexual exploitation services 11. There are appropriate screening processes and tools in use.
–– young carers – where substance misuse is a primary problem 12. There are appropriate assessment, intervention and exit/discharge processes.
13. The service has knowledge of national and local guidance in relation to
–– young people’s advice and support services drugs/alcohol.This knowledge is disseminated to the staff team and incorporated
–– teenage pregnancy services into the provision of the service
3 Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

7. Defining categories of service
Harm reduction –– family support/ parenting services
To reduce the harm caused by the use of drugs/alcohol, the service provides –– young carers – where substance misuse is an associated problem
information, education and advice about the risks of using substances and aims to
support and protect those who are vulnerable to substance misuse and its effects. –– looked after children services
–– services dealing with issues of abuse (emotional, physical, sexual)
Harm minimisation –– homelessness services
The service provides information, education and advice about reducing the various
forms of drug related harm (including social, medical, legal and financial problems) –– offending and social exclusion services
until the drug / alcohol misuser is ready and able to come off drugs (Department –– domestic violence services
of Health et al 1999).
–– SureStart services
–– under fives’ services
Secondary category
–– family group conferencing
Definition
A service where substance misuse related issues regularly arise and the workforce
has the competence and confidence to tackle these issues themselves and /or the
Requirements
knowledge and understanding to refer on to the appropriate services. 1. There is a service policy in relation to drug and alcohol use, which is known by
staff and visible to service users via a public notice and information provided
to services users.
Examples of services
2. There are clear lines of accountability for any incidents and these are
–– services for care leavers
incorporated into local safety rules.
–– concerning and harmful sexual behaviours services 3. Drug and alcohol information, which is age and language appropriate, is visible
–– HIV/AIDS services and available to all service users and staff.
4. An identified member of staff is responsible for updating information.
–– education support services
5. There is information on local and national services available in the service
–– fostering and adoption services including FRANK, local treatment agencies and other support services.
–– community development services 6. There is knowledge of referral agencies and processes.
Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse
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8. Defining categories of service
7. There is a referral policy and procedure with a clear process in place for Requirements
referral with regards to what, when and how, in relation to children, young 1. There is a service policy in relation to drug and alcohol use which is known by
people including young carers, adults, family, friends. staff and visible to service users via a public notice and information provided
8. There are clear processes in place for joint working with regards to to services users.
information sharing and monitoring. 2. There are clear lines of accountability for any incidents and these are
9. There are links with local DAT systems to receive and input information and incorporated into local safety rules.
participate on local substance misuse groups. 3. Drug and alcohol information, which is age and language appropriate, is visible
10. The staff know and understand what is meant by a harm minimisation and available to all service users and staff.
approach to drugs and alcohol and this is addressed through service and 4. An identified member of staff is responsible for updating information.
workforce planning and development. 5. There is information on local and national services available in the service
11. There are appropriate screening processes and tools in use. including FRANK, local treatment agencies and other support services.
6. There is knowledge of referral agencies and processes.
Tertiary category 7. There are clear processes in place for joint working with regard to information
sharing and monitoring.
Definition
A service where substance misuse related issues occasionally arise.The service
is enhanced by the workforce being able to identify when substance misuse
may be impacting on lives and have the confidence to refer/signpost to the
appropriate services.
Examples of services
–– disability services
–– special needs services
–– children’s rights services
–– young carers
–– services for the seriously ill
5 Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

9. Self assessment
The following checklists have been developed to help:
–– assess the current position of their service
–– identify staff knowledge of substance misuse and the individual and group
skills required
–– design an action plan to meet any gaps in knowledge and skills.
The forms should be completed as follows:
–– Section one should be completed by all services.
–– Section two should be completed by secondary and primary category services.
–– Section three should be completed by primary category services.
Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse
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10. Self assessment
Self assessment for services working with
children, young people and families to identify Service name
service and workforce development needs in
relation to substance misuse
Initial assessment of service category
Date
Final assessment of service category
Date
Completed by
Date
7 Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

11. Self assessment
Section one – to be completed by all services
Criteria Evidence Yes/No Comments
Drug and alcohol policies I Agenda item in team meetings/minutes of meetings
Drug/alcohol information is I Information circulated via communication systems
disseminated to staff team I Incorporated into safeguarding and protecting
children learning and development
I Included in new staff induction
When there is an incident, roles and I Local safety rules incorporate response to
accountability for taking action and drugs/alcohol and related incidents/risks
reporting are properly defined and
understood by those involved
The drug and alcohol policy is visible to I Included in service information supplied to service
all users of the service users. Policy displayed in service public areas
Drug & alcohol information I The information is age and language appropriate
Accurate / up to date drug and alcohol I Information/availability of information displayed in
information is available and visible to all service/public areas
users of service and staff I A member of staff is nominated to be responsible
Staff and users of the service have for updating the information
access to and knowledge of accurate and I Information available and easily accessible
up to date information on: I Information is up to date
- FRANK I Staff are aware of information
- local treatment agencies I Included in new staff induction
- support services I Users of the service are aware of the information
Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse
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12. Self assessment
Section one (cont.) – to be completed by all services
Criteria Evidence Yes/No Comments
Referral processes I Staff know what, when, where and how to refer:
A clear process is in place for referral children, young people (incl. carers), adults
on to appropriate agencies and this is (incl. parents) family, friends
known and understood by those I The referral process is included in new
involved staff induction
I There is a referral policy and procedure
Joint working arrangements I Information sharing policy and/or protocol is
Clear processes are in place for known and understood by those involved
joint working I Monitoring arrangements are in place and practiced
I The process for joint working information is
included in new staff induction
I Joint care planning policy and procedures are
known and understood by those involved
9 Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

13. Self assessment
Section two – to be completed by primary and secondary category services only
Criteria Evidence Yes/No Comments
Link to Drug Action I The service is represented on local substance
Team* system misuse groups
There is a clear process for the input I The service receives regular information from the
and receipt of information to and from local DAT*
the DAT* structure I The service has access to the local DAT* and those
involved have knowledge of how to feed
information into DAT* structure
A harm reduction approach I Knowledge base/attitude of staff
The service, through its systems and I References in service plans
practice, takes a harm I References in learning and development plans
reduction/minimisation approach to
I References in annual reports
drugs and alcohol
Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse
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14. Self assessment
Section three – to be completed by primary category services only
Criteria Evidence Yes/No Comments
National & local substance I Agenda items in team meetings/minutes of meetings
misuse strategies I Information circulated via communication systems
National and local strategies and I Incorporated into annual safeguarding children's
guidance are disseminated to staff team learning and development
and incorporated in to the provision of I Included in new staff induction
the service
Care pathways I Screening tools are available, known and applied by
There is a clear process for screening appropriately trained practitioners
children, young people and adults I Practitioner competencies are determined and
any learning and development needs incorporated
in to annual learning & development plan
I Screening process is integrated within referral and
key worker allocation processes
Care pathways I A range of interventions are delivered by
Practitioners apply interventions appropriately trained practitioners
appropriate to the needs of the I Practitioner competencies are determined and
service user any learning and development needs incorporated
into annual learning & development plans
I Practitioners maintain core competencies and
develop new knowledge and skills
11 Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

15. Self assessment
Section three – to be completed by primary category services only
Criteria Evidence Yes/No Comments
Care pathways I Exit / discharge tools are available, known and
There is a clear exit / discharge applied by appropriately trained practitioners
process I Practitioner competencies are determined and any
learning and development needs incorporated in to
annual learning & development plan
I Exit / discharge process is integrated in to joint
working arrangements
I Review / follow up tools are available, known and
Care pathways
applied by appropriately trained practitioners
There is a clear review / follow up
I Practitioner competencies are determined and any
process
learning and development needs incorporated in to
annual learning & development plan
I Review / follow-up process is integrated in to joint
working arrangements
Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse
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16. Action plan
13 Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

17. Action plan
Guidance notes for completing the action plan Link to DAT* system
It is not envisaged that each service should be individually represented on local
Having completed the self assessment checklist, you may now have identified areas substance misuse groups.This may be via assistant directors or stakeholders such as
of concern or in need of improvement if your service is to meet the needs of children’s services, who already sit on these groups.
children, young people and families affected by substance misuse issues.
A harm reduction approach
It is not anticipated, that a service should write additional procedures as a result
Contact your local DAT* for information about training available in your area.
of this process. Drug and alcohol issues should be an inclusive part of the service’s
This may well be available through local treatment services.
work rather than ‘an addition’ to it.
Core components to the training should include;
However additional information may be needed to enable existing procedures
to be applied to substance misuse work. –– harm reduction approaches to substance misuse
–– understanding why people use/misuse substances
Here are some suggestions for obtaining further information.
–– categories of substances, their effects and risks.
Referral process
Local treatment and support services will provide information about their referral
process and who is appropriate for referral to their services.They should be willing
to discuss any possible referral to them and provide guidance as to how to best
support those referred into their service.
Joint working arrangements
Local services will provide information required on the basic level to be able to Complete the local resources information sheet
process a referral and their expectations in relation to joint working. Joint care and display it prominently in your service
planning is then implemented on the same basis as in other areas of work where
multi agency work is required.
Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse
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18. Action plan
Further guidance for primary category services
This category includes both specialist treatment services and non-treatment
services that routinely encounter substance misuse issues.
National and local strategies
Up to date information and developments can be provided through the local
DAT / CMAT / DACT information sharing and planning systems.
Care pathways – non treatment services
Screening Tool – contact your local treatment service for their screening tool.Young
people’s treatment services should have a screening tool in place.They should
provide guidance on how to use the tool and may provide training workshops. Adult
treatment services operate on a triage basis upon receipt of a referral.
Practitioner competencies/interventions – these refer to the delivery of services
which the practitioner is responsible for within the care plan and not for specialist
drug and alcohol treatment interventions.
15 Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

19. Action plan
to be completed by
A ALL SERVICE CATEGORIES
Criteria Evidence gap Action to be taken By whom When
Drug & alcohol policies
Drug and alcohol information
is disseminated to staff team
A
When there is an incident,
roles and accountability for
taking action and reporting
A is properly defined and
understood by those involved
The drug and alcohol
policy is visible to
all users of the service
A
Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse
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20. Action plan
to be completed by
A ALL SERVICE CATEGORIES
Criteria Evidence gap Action to be taken By whom When
Drug & alcohol
information
Accurate and up to date drug
A and alcohol information is
available and visible to ALL
users of service and staff
Staff and users of the service
have access to and knowledge
of accurate and up to date
information on:
A - FRANK
- Local treatment agencies
- Support services
Referral processes
A clear process is in place
for referral on to appropriate
agencies and is known and
A understood by those involved
17 Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

21. Action plan
to be completed by to be completed by to be completed by
A ALL SERVICE CATEGORIES B SECONDARY and PRIMARY CATEGORY SERVICES C PRIMARY CATEGORY SERVICES
Criteria Evidence gap Action to be taken By whom When
Joint working
A arrangements
Clear processes are in place
for joint working
Link to Drug Action
Team system
B There is a clear process for
the input and receipt of
information to and from
the DAT* structure
A harm reduction/
minimisation
approach
B The service, through its
systems and practice, takes
a harm reduction/
minimisation approach to
drugs and alcohol
National & local
strategies
C National and local strategies &
guidance are disseminated to
staff team & incorporated into
the provision of the service
Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse
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22. Action plan
to be completed by
C PRIMARY CATEGORY SERVICES
Criteria Evidence gap Action to be taken By whom When
Care pathways
There is a clear process for
C screening children, young
people and adults
There is a clear process for
assessment of children, young
C people, adults
Practitioners apply
interventions appropriate
to the needs of the
C service user
There is a clear exit/
C discharge process
There is a clear
C review/ follow up process
19 Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

23. Resources
Information on substance
misuse strategy and policy
development
Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse
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24. Resources
Information on substance Drug and alcohol
misuse strategy and policy information and
development can be resources can be
found at: found at:
Alcohol Concern Release Alcohol Concern HIT
www.alcoholconcern.org.uk www.release.org.uk www.alcoholconcern.org.uk www.hit.org.uk
Drugscope NCCDP Drugscope Lifeline Publications
www.drugscope.org.uk National Collaborating Centre for www.drugscope.org.uk www.lifelinepublications.org.uk
Drug Prevention
National Treatment Agency www.drugpreventionevidence.info Frank Re-solv
www.nta.nts.uk www.talktofrank.com www.re-solv.org
ADFAM
DAT www.adfam.org.uk Gordon Goodsense Guides Tacade
www.drugs.gov.uk/dat/directory The Orchard Centre www.tacade.com
Lower Hillmorton Road
Cymru Rugby Wired for Health
www.wales.gov.uk/subicsu/content/ Warwickshire CV1 3SR Resources for children aged 5-16
substance/sub-misuse-e.htm Tel: 01926 493 491 www.wiredforhealth.gov.uk
These guides are suitable for pre
teens. Samples available on request.
21 Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

25. Detach and display
Local resources and substance misuse
Drug Action Team Adult treatment services:
Your local Drug Action Team (DAT) and treatment services will be able to provide
additional information and guidance to help you develop your service and team.
For information on contacting your local DAT go to Support services for family and friends:
www.drugs.gov.uk/dat/directory
Local DAT* contact:
Support services for children of drug/alcohol using parents:
The DAT* will be able to give you information about both adult and young
people’s treatment services in your area.They will also provide information about
all services in your area that have a role in meeting substance use/misuse needs for
children and young people, adults and communities.
Young people’s treatment services:
Community support services (eg environmental health)
Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse
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26. Government policy and initiatives
As of October 2005, here is a list of
government policies and initiatives with
regard to substance misuse.
23 Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

27. Government policy and initiatives
As of October 2005, here is a list of government policies and initiatives with regard to substance misuse.
Government policies and initiatives Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD)
Drugs strategies Hidden Harm report, Home Office 2003
England, Home Office Scotland
This report estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 children in England
National Drugs Strategy, 1998, 2002 Scottish Executive Drugs Strategy
and Wales have one or both parents experiencing serious drug problems.
In 1998, the government published and drugs action plan, 2000 updated
Parental drug problems are associated with a range of poor outcomes for
its ten year strategy and updated it Plan for Action on Alcohol to be
children and young people, including early onset of drug use and misuse. In
in 2002.The strategy sets out a published in 2006.
addition to adult drug services having a key role in identifying the needs of the
range of policies to reduce the ham
children of their service users, children and young people’s support services also
caused by Illegal drugs. Cymru
have a vital role to play.
Welsh Assembly Government
The strategy sets a target of
Strategy “Tackling Substance Misuse
reducing the use of Class A drugs Further information is available at
in Wales – a Partnership Approach”
and the frequent use of any illicit www.homeoffice.gov/drugs/misuse/acmd
covers substance misuse — alcohol,
drug among all young people,
drugs, prescription only drugs, over
particularly the most vulnerable. In Scotland there are an estimated 40,000 – 60,000 children and drug using
the counter medicines and volatile
parents and 80,000 – 10,000 children affected by parental alcohol misuse.
Further information available at substances, launched in 2000 and is
www.drugs.gov.uk/NationalStrategy an eight year strategy.
The ‘Hidden Harm Agenda’ is part of government priorities across the UK.
Northern Ireland
NI Drug Strategy 1998
New Strategic Direction for Alcohol
and Drugs 2006-11, published
February 2006 for consultation
Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse
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28. Government policy and initiatives
Every Child Matters: Change for children,
young people and drugs.
Linking Every Child Matters with
National Drug Strategy
To support delivery of Every Child Matters: Change for Children and the National targeted and specialist provision to meet local needs and ensure delivery
Drug Strategy, the Department for Education and Skills, the Home Office and of workforce training to support it.
Department of Health have agreed a joint approach to the development of
universal, targeted and specialist services to prevent drug harm and to ensure that The development and provision of effective services for children and young
all children and young people are able to reach their potential. people will require increases in service and workforce capacity.
The approach has three main objectives: The joint approach is being implemented nationally. All local authorities in
England and their partners are expected to make significant progress
I Reforming delivery and strengthening accountability: closer links between the towards meeting its objectives from April 2005.
National Drug Strategy and Every Child Matters: Change for Children Every Child Matters: Change for Children.Young People and Drugs.
programme locally, regionally and nationally.
Further information is available at: www.everychildmatters.gov.uk
I Ensuring provision is built around the needs of vulnerable children and young
people. More focus on prevention and early intervention with those most at risk,
with drug misuse considered as part of assessments, care planning and
intervention by all agencies providing services for children, including schools.
I Building service and workforce capacity. Developing a range of universal,
25 Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

29. Government policy and initiatives
Health Advisory Service (HAS) — Substance of Tier 3 – the aim and purpose of this tier is to meet the needs of children and
young people with tobacco, alcohol and drug problems and those
young needs, Department of Health with multiple underlying problems.
Tier 3 interventions are provided by young people’s specialist drug services and
In 1996, HAS published its strategic approach to the commissioning, provision other specialised services that work with complex cases which require a multi-
and delivery of services to young people.This guidance was reviewed and disciplinary team approach.
updated in 2001.
Tier 4 – This tier provides very specialist interventions and settings for a
The HAS report outlined a four tier model which describes the different levels of specific length of time for a particular function. Young people
substance misuse intervention which may be required to meet the various levels receiving tier 4 interventions have complex substance misuse
of need that children and young people might have. problems requiring specific interventions and/or care and protection.
Tier 1 – ensure universal access and continuity of advice and care to all young All young people, whether or not they use substances, should receive a level of
people, and identify and screen those with vulnerability to substance intervention as described in the HAS 4 tier model.
misuse. All young people have substance misuse education needs that
require interventions at this level. The receiving of services at a higher tier does not mean that a young person no
longer needs interventions related to a lower tier. A young person receiving tier
Tier 1 interventions include accurate information and advice, health promotion 3 services will still require tier 1 and 2 interventions.
and support for young people and their families, with referral if necessary.
It should be noted that the service categories: primary, secondary and tertiary,
Tier 2 – the aim and purpose of this tier is to reduce risk and vulnerabilities to used in this pack are not the same as the HAS Tiers.
substance misuse and to reintegrate and maintain young people in
mainstream services. This tier aims to meet the needs of all young Further information and copies of the HAS tiered model are available at:
www.hascas.org.uk/publications/reports.htm
people, but particularly those who use substances combined with
other vulnerabilities.
Tier 2 interventions include pro-active outreach, practical support and advice
on a range of associated issues (housing, income, education, sexual health and
crisis support).
Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse
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30. Government policy and initiatives
Change for Children Agendas
England Northern Ireland Scotland Cymru
Every Child Matters, 2004 Department R WRLD 2 in consultation and to be Scottish Ministers have agreed a vision In Cymru, the Welsh Assembly
for Education and Skills published in March 2006 for Scotland’s children that provides Government Children and Young
Published in 2004, the government’s It states that every child lives in a the overarching context for the People: Rights to Action set out the
vision for children’s services identified secure and peaceful community development of policy. vision for all its policies and programmes
five outcomes for all children and young Scotland’s children should be: for children and young people
– is free from poverty
people, to be achieved through the developed through seven core aims:
– has the opportunity to realise – Safe
better integration of children’s services. – having a flying start in life
his/her maximum potential – Healthy
– be healthy – have a comprehensive range of
– is enabled to exercise his/her – Nurtured
– stay safe rights and fully participates as education and learning opportunities
– Achieving
– enjoy and achieve an active citizen – enjoy the best possible health and to
– Included be free from abuse, victimisation and
– make positive contribution – experiences being valued, respected
and understood – Active exploitation
– achieve economic well-being
– is free from commercial exploitation – Respected and Responsible – have access to play, leisure, sporting
Choosing not to take illegal
and cultural activities
drugs is an aim within the be – has a voice in how he/she is
healthy outcome. cared for – are listened to.Treated with respect,
and have their race and cultural
Further information is available at – feels happy, safe, cared for and
identity recognised
www.everychildmatters.gov.uk supported by family, community,
government and wider society – have a safe home and community
which supports physical and
emotional wellbeing
– are not disadvantaged by poverty
27 Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse

31. Fit for purpose? – Assess your service’s capacity to respond to children young people and families affected by substance misuse
28

32. Head Office Northern Ireland Scotland Cymru/Wales
Tanners Lane, Barkingside, 542/544 Upper Newtownards Rd, 235 Corstorphine Road, Trident Court, East Moors Road,
Ilford, Essex IG6 1QG. Belfast BT4 3HE. Edinburgh EH12 7AR. Cardiff CF24 5TD.
Telephone: 020 8550 8822. Telephone: 028 9067 2366. Telephone: 0131 334 9893. Telephone: 029 2049 3387.
www.barnardos.org.uk Registered Charity No. 216250