Our work
Families First: An evidence-based approach to protecting UK families from alcohol-related harm
In July 2018, the Alcohol and Families Alliance published Families First, a policy report examining the impact alcohol has on families and children in the UK and the gaps in support, making policy recommendations for closing those gaps. The report finds that while almost 200,000 children live with at least one alcohol-dependent adult, there is very patchy provision of support nationally, and for families affected by alcohol, and that training is needed to help professionals identify parental drinking problems and show families where to get help.
Alongside this, Families First raises concerns with alcohol's position in wider society – particularly its increased availability in recent years – and how this works against families hoping to avoid harm. It calls for action on the price of alcohol, such as minimum unit pricing which has been introduced in Scotland.
The report also found many barriers for those caring for a family member, or the child of a family member, with an alcohol use problem. Many of these carers suffer financial hardship due to their caring roles, and some – caring for another family member’s children – are not entitled to the same rights and benefits as other carers. The AFA is calling on government to increase the Carer’s Allowance to ensure carers do not suffer financial hardship, and for carers looking after children in their own family to receive the same rights, support, and benefits as foster carers.
Families First was launched in Parliament on 3 July 2018 at an event sponsored by Caroline Flint MP and supported by the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Alcohol Harm and on Children of Alcoholics.
In July 2018, the Alcohol and Families Alliance published Families First, a policy report examining the impact alcohol has on families and children in the UK and the gaps in support, making policy recommendations for closing those gaps. The report finds that while almost 200,000 children live with at least one alcohol-dependent adult, there is very patchy provision of support nationally, and for families affected by alcohol, and that training is needed to help professionals identify parental drinking problems and show families where to get help.
Alongside this, Families First raises concerns with alcohol's position in wider society – particularly its increased availability in recent years – and how this works against families hoping to avoid harm. It calls for action on the price of alcohol, such as minimum unit pricing which has been introduced in Scotland.
The report also found many barriers for those caring for a family member, or the child of a family member, with an alcohol use problem. Many of these carers suffer financial hardship due to their caring roles, and some – caring for another family member’s children – are not entitled to the same rights and benefits as other carers. The AFA is calling on government to increase the Carer’s Allowance to ensure carers do not suffer financial hardship, and for carers looking after children in their own family to receive the same rights, support, and benefits as foster carers.
Families First was launched in Parliament on 3 July 2018 at an event sponsored by Caroline Flint MP and supported by the All Party Parliamentary Groups on Alcohol Harm and on Children of Alcoholics.
| families_first_-_afa_-_july_2018_web.pdf |
Like sugar for adults: The effect of non-dependent parental drinking on children and families
The Alcohol and Families Alliance joined together with the Institute of Alcohol Studies and Alcohol Focus Scotland to work on an exciting new research project into parental drinking and its impact on children. While there is a significant amount of research on the impact of chronic drinking on families and children, far less is known about the impact of ‘moderate’ or ‘lower risk’ drinking. The project aimed to address this by investigating the impact of alcohol on children across a range of drinking levels and patterns.
In October 2016 we held two inquiries to hear oral evidence, one in London and one in Scotland. Caroline Flint MP chaired the London inquiry and we heard from a variety of people with experience in this area. Both events uncovered some fascinating findings.
We also asked for written submissions and a consultation was carried out by market research agency ORB. The final report was launched in Parliament in October 2017.
The Alcohol and Families Alliance joined together with the Institute of Alcohol Studies and Alcohol Focus Scotland to work on an exciting new research project into parental drinking and its impact on children. While there is a significant amount of research on the impact of chronic drinking on families and children, far less is known about the impact of ‘moderate’ or ‘lower risk’ drinking. The project aimed to address this by investigating the impact of alcohol on children across a range of drinking levels and patterns.
In October 2016 we held two inquiries to hear oral evidence, one in London and one in Scotland. Caroline Flint MP chaired the London inquiry and we heard from a variety of people with experience in this area. Both events uncovered some fascinating findings.
We also asked for written submissions and a consultation was carried out by market research agency ORB. The final report was launched in Parliament in October 2017.
| like_sugar_for_adults_-_october_2017.pdf |