FACT (Foetally Affected Children's Team) Centre of Excellence
Finding families for children affected by foetal alcohol and drugs
The use of drugs and alcohol by pregnant women is a serious problem that research has shown to be on the increase. A recent BBC documentary: Pissed and Pregnant (part of the Binge Britain series) revealed that the number of children affected cannot be reliably estimated, but experts estimate that around 7,000 children living in the UK were born with lifelong, incurable problems, caused by their mother's drinking during pregnancy. A number of these children are in the looked-after population and some will need to be placed with families permanently.
According to research from the University of Washington/US National Centre for Health Statistics, one in 100 babies are born with FASD – more than the number with Down's Syndrome, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis and spina bifida.
If women drink during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, there is an increased risk of miscarriage, restricted growth of the child or serious developmental problems. Foetal alcohol and drugs can affect the basic structure of the brain and the way it processes information.
The most commonly used terminology within this field are Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).
FAS/FASD characteristics and possible effects
Pre-natal exposure to alcohol can result in physical and non-physical effects:
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Hyperactivity
- Learning difficulties
- Behavioural problems
- Heart defects
- Sight problems
- Hearing problems
- Facial anomalies
FACT Centre of Excellence
Parents for Children has recently launched a Foetally Affected Children's Team and are inviting local authorities to refer affected children to be involved. Initially, we will be retrospectively researching our existing placements of foetally-affected children. We have set up a multi-disciplinary system to identify the needs of each child, the appropriate support package, and then to ensure these needs are reviewed annually. Those multi-disciplinary links could then feed back into the child's local professional support system. The Centre of Excellence will complement our already established and valued programme of conferences and training seminars, targeted at participants across the professional spectrum.
As a result of referring a child, a local authority will benefit, not only from the placement of the particular child or child referred, but also from the vast amount of knowledge that will be gained from the experts in the field. The results of our research will benefit future generations of children and guide our thinking into the best ways of managing their needs.
If you are interested in referring a child/children to participate in this project, or if you have any questions about children suffering from maternal drug and alcohol abuse, please contact Jacqui Le Vaillant, Development Manager at: jacqui@parentsforchildren.org.uk or on 020 7520 2880.
Conferences - Maternal Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Parents for Children has four conferences in September 2008, which will explore the problems faced by children who are affected in multiple ways by their mothers’ drug and alcohol usage, particularly in pregnancy. The first conference is in Liverpool on 8th September, following in Sheffield on the 11th and then in London on the 16th and 17th. Our expert speakers will look at the effects on the unborn baby, risks for their future, and ways to maximise their development.
Full details of our conferences can be found here.
For more information about the topics covered during the conference, or to find out about future Parents for Children conferences, please call Charlotte Lindsell on 020 7520 2880 or email charlotte@parentsforchildren.org.uk.
Parents for Childrens conferences qualify for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for both the General Social Care Council and the Law Society.