At10s Impact of Parental Illness - 5-9 Years - Questionnair

Assessment Tool AT10

The Impact of Parental Mental Illness, Problem alcohol and drug use and domestic violence on children’s development – checklist 5-9 years

What does it do? Provides an overview of the impact on children of growing up in a situation where mental illness, substance misuse and domestic violence are factors. Structures an age specific checklist of general factors that increase vulnerability, risk of significant harm, key problems of children in that age category and protective factors. This concludes with an analysis, identification of new need, decisions “ about significant harm” and further action.

How do I use it: Use the checklist to identify general factors, key problems and protective factors. Cross refer the impact of these various factors in the analysis section, identifying any new needs that have become apparent. Your decision focuses on your level of concern and whether significant harm is indicated. This can be completed alone, or as part of supervision.

Developed: This has been developed by Dafydd Paul and Nia Price (Gwynedd ICS Project) and Bruce Thornton (Risk2Children)

Original source: Children’s Needs – Parenting Capacity, Cleaver, Unell & Aldgate The impact of parental mental illness, problem alcohol and drug use and domestic violence on children’s development The Stationery Office, ISBN 0-11-322278-5

How long does it takes? 30 minutes once information has been gathered

Language available: English and Welsh

Is further guidance available? Refer to source material.

www.Risk2Children.co.uk [email protected]

The impact of parental mental illness, problem alcohol and drug use and domestic violence on children’s development – checklist www.Risk2Children.co.uk [email protected]

Child’s Name Date of Birth Worker’s Name Date Completed Client Number

Age range: 5-9 Years

General factors which increase vulnerability and risks of significant harm Tick (if present)  The children most at risk of suffering significant harm are those: o involved in parental delusions o children who become targets for parental aggression or rejection o or are neglected for pathological reasons  To witness parental distress and suffering can have adverse psychological impact on children  The negative impact of domestic violence is exacerbated when: o the violence is combined with drink or drug use o children witness the abuse o are drawn into the abuse o or collude in concealing the assaults Key problems for children 5 - 9 years  Children may be at increased risk of physical injury, and show symptoms of extreme anxiety and fear.  Academic attainment is negatively affected and children’s behaviour in school becomes problematic.  Identity, age and gender may affect outcomes. Boys more quickly exhibit problematic behaviour but girls are also affected is parental problems endure.  Children may develop poor self-esteem, and may blame themselves for their parents’ problems.  Inconsistent parental behaviour may cause anxiety and faulty attachments.  Children’s fear of hostility.  Unplanned separation can cause distress and disrupt education and friendship patterns.  Children feel embarrassment and shame over parents’ behaviour. As a consequence they curtail friendship and social inter-action.  Children may take on too much responsibility for themselves, their parents and younger siblings. Protective factors  Children have the cognitive ability to rationalize drug and alcohol problems in terms of illness. This enables them to accept and cope with parents’ behaviour more easily.  The presence of an alternative, consistent, caring adult who can respond to the cognitive and emotional needs of children.  Sufficient income support and good physical standards in the home.  Regular supportive help from a primary health care team and social services, including respite care and accommodation.  Regular attendance at school.  Sympathetic, empathic and vigilant teachers.  Attendance at school medicals.  An alternative, safe and supportive residence for mothers subject to violence and the threat of violence.  A supportive older sibling. Older siblings can offer significant support to children particularly when parents are overwhelmed by their own problems (Kosonen, 1996).  A friend. Children who have at least one mutual friend have been shown to have higher self worth and lower scores on loneliness than those without (parker and Asher 1992, quoted in Stocker 1994).  Social networks outside the family, especially with a sympathetic adult of the same sex.  Beloning to organised out-of-school activities, including homework clubs.  Being taught different ways of coping and being sufficiently confident to know that to do when parents are incapacitated.  An ability to separate, either psychological or physically from the stressful situation. This has been shown to act as a protective factor (see Anthony, 1974 with regard to mental illness).

Analysis

Analysis of information gathered, in particular the impact of these factors on the capacity of the parent/carer to meet the needs of the child.

Needs Identified

Please record any new needs for the child that you have identified. These needs will be incorporated into the child’s care plan. Please record the dimension from the Assessment Framework triangle related to this need (e.g. health, education, basic care) in the first column. Please record your statement of need in the second column. (See Guidance on Outcome Based Planning). Dimension Need 1 2 3 4 5 6

Decisions

If this has been undertaken as part of a wider assessment, your decisions should also be recorded in that assessment [e.g. Core Assessment]. Please select the relevant option(s). I am concerned that this child may be at risk of significant harm I am concerned about this child’s vulnerability and have identified new needs to be incorporated into the care plan No further action

Actions

Please list any actions to be taken following this assessment Further assessment to establish whether harm is evident (e.g. Risk Assessment – Stage 2, Substance Misuse Tool) Incorporate new needs into the child’s Care Plan Signpost/refer to or consult with other agencies Other Actions

Consent (if you wish to share information with another agency)

To share information or refer to another agency, the consent of the child/parent is usually required, unless there are Child Protection concerns and obtaining consent may harm the child.

 Has consent to share information already been obtained Yes/No If ‘no’ please complete the questions below  I have obtained consent to share information/refer to another agency.  I do not have consent to share information/refer with another agency but have Child Protection concerns and obtaining consent may harm the child.

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