Introducing the highlights from: problem solving in court: current practice in FDACs in England.

The FDAC (Family drug and alcohol court) problem-solving approach in court is about hearing cases in a collaborative rather than an adversarial manner. FDAC’s main features are judicial continuity, fortnightly judge-led review hearings without lawyers present where judges use motivational interviewing techniques with parents, encouraging parents to seize every opportunity to turn their lives around for the benefit of their children. In early 2016, expanding on their 2014 research, Lancaster University and Ryan Tunnard Brown undertook a review of FDAC problem-solving court practices. The study consisted of observations of 46 hearings in 10 FDAC courts. The study had two main aims. The first was to test whether FDAC judges are currently using a problem-solving approach during court hearings. The second was to collect the views of judges about differences between FDAC and ordinary care proceedings, local implementation of the FDAC model, and the value of extending its problem-solving approach to other types of care cases. The findings are very positive. The researchers found clear evidence that adherence to the principles and practice of the FDAC problem-solving approach is at the heart of the FDAC courts, and that the judges were unanimous in their support for the FDAC approach which they described as a more compassionate way of responding to the parental difficulties that put children at risk of harm. The study made a strong case for: continuing to roll out and sustain the FDAC model; ensure fidelity to the FDAC model through initial and ongoing training by the FDAC National Unit; and generate local and national discussion about which other types of care proceedings would benefit from the FDAC approach. Their data collection and analysis focused on evidence of the following principles and practice being in place. Problem-solving principles focusing on the FDAC process: 1. Enhanced information (to and from all parties) 2. A collaborative approach (solving problems through joint thinking and action) 3. Fair decision making (using a non-adversarial and an honest, transparent approach) 4. Judicial review and monitoring (by a specially-trained judge) 5. A focus on outcomes (to achieve the changes needed in parental behaviour and lifestyle). Problem-solving activity focusing on Judges practice: 1. talking to parents 2. inviting their views 3. expressing interest in their progress 4. acknowledging family strengths 5. offering praise to parents 6. explaining the aims of FDAC 7. explaining decisions made 8. urging parents to take responsibility for their actions, including the consequences of prioritising their own needs over those of their children, and 9. using time in court to tackle the range of problems faced by parents (that is, using a problem-solving approach)

Parental problem drinking and its impact on children.

This is a review on parental problem drinking and its impact on children. It addresses the definition and extent of parental problem drinking, its impact on aspects of children's lives and the long-term effect on children through adulthood. The review also suggests service specification and recommendations on practice

Parental drug misuse : a review of impact and intervention studies.

This review examines the available research about both the impact of problem drug use and interventions designed to reduce that impact. It starts by looking at definitions, the extent of problem drug use, and its impact across important aspects of children’s lives. These are linked to the dimensions that practitioners will be familiar with through their use of the Assessment Framework for Children in Need (C1)*. Messages for practice are then drawn from both the impact and intervention studies. The studies are those already published in the UK and Ireland, and conducted over the past ten years or so. Some intervention studies from the USA have been included because of the lack of such material in UK and Irish research. The review is intended for social care workers involved with adults – using or affected by drugs – and their children and young relatives. Beyond social services, it is intended for probation workers, health visitors and midwives, teachers and those delivering drug services. Beyond front-line staff and their managers, it is intended for use by Primary Care Trust commissioners and others planning or conducting service reviews, in single or multi-agency work

Changing lifestyles, keeping children safe:an evaluation of the first Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) in care proceedings

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Parental drug misuse A review of impact and intervention studies

Includes bibliographical referencesSIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:m03/25638 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Strengthening prospects for safe and lasting family reunification:can a Family Drug and Alcohol Court make a contribution?

This article examines the contribution of the first Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) within care proceedings in England and Wales. It asks what FDAC can contribute to family reunification amid concerns about the safety and sustainability of return home and significant changes in care proceedings under the Children and Families Bill of 2013. Features of FDAC as a problem-solving court are outlined and findings of an independent evaluation are presented to consider FDAC’s contribution to safe return home at the end of the care proceedings. The likely impact of the Children and Families Bill of 2013 on FDAC’s reunification objectives and the rationale for an FDAC aftercare service are discussed. The article concludes that FDAC has the potential to play a useful role in promoting safe reunification at the end of care proceedings. The Children and Families Bill of 2013 creates both opportunities and challenges to the FDAC model in respect of its approach to enhance safe reunification prospects, and adaptations will be necessary. There is a strong case to develop an FDAC aftercare service to help promote lasting reunification and safe and committed parenting

The Family Drug Alcohol Court (FDAC) Evaluation Project Final Report

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