Hi Byron
You may want to look at Harbin and Murphy's first book (can't remember the title off hand - something like Substance Misuse and Child Welfare'). They developed a model for assessing parental substance use that sat within the CAF (see attached ppt slide as i've adapted it for teaching in the past). However, the one issue i have with this is that it depends on pracitioner knowledge and confidence and training issues. It's no point asking someone what they use, how much, how often, what problems it causes etc if the responses mean nothing to the social worker. It only makes them look foolish and the service user would see through it straight away. Far better to ask what they use and how often, then ask them how it effects them or makes them feel, as well as what are the good things about using and what are the down sides to using/drinking. These types of questions not only allow the person to be the expert on the effects of substance use on themself (power issues/partnership), it demonstrates a level of understanding on the part of the social worker, it sounds less judgemental and interrogating and by acknowledging the positives of substance use it may make people more open to acknowledging the down side too. If there are downsides and problems then you have the 'in' for exploring how you can help someone, offer support, information, referral to specialists etc. Some of this is standard motivational interviewing techniques which you may be aware of. Of course the debate to be had here is to what extent the social worker/professional gets involved in this. If the idea is they don't have a discussion beyond asking one question then i wouldn't support that approach. It sets the client up and leaves them to worry about what will be done with the information etc.
I also take issue with Harbin and Murphy's stuff too because it suggests that only one domain, ie parenting capacity, is impacted by problematic substance use. Acutally sub use and sub use problems usually stem from environmental and other issues as well as having a negative impact resulting from the sub use as you know. There is also the argument that it might be affecting parenting capacity but if other mechanisms and arrangements are in place, through non using parents, grandparents etc, and it's not affecting child development then it requires a very different approach than if hte parent affected was the sole carer.
I understand your need for a trigger question. It's important we get this on the radar of professionals and specialists from non substance use services. Although we want these things to happen in a linear fashion, ie. good training, competent and confident staff supported by clear policies and procedures, effective supervision etc BEFORE people start asking questions i appreciate it often happens in a different order or at the same time. I suggest using open questions will help, eg. how often people drink alcohol and what type of drugs they use, prescribed or illegal. Of course, these questions absolutely need to be set in context of a whole bunch of questions about lifestyle or health so they don't sound like they've been plucked from the air! My other point here is making sure if these questions are being asked then your professionals know why they're asking them and what will be done with the information. If they don't then they shouldn't be asked in my view.
Hope this helps.
Sarah.
Dr Sarah Galvani
Lecturer in Social Work
Institute of Applied Social Studies
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
Tel: 0121 414 2941
Email: [log in to unmask]
_____
From: List for social workers working with substance use issues on behalf of Taylor, Byron
Sent: Thu 08/09/07 13:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: CAF and Substance Misuse
Dear All,
Does anyone have any examples of where the Substance Misuse questions
have been integrated within the CAF Common Assessment Framework. I am
currently trying to ensure that the CAF in our borough has a trigger
question which will ensure that the professionals using the CAF carry
out a more thorough substance misuse screening. Any help or suggestions
regarding the integration of CAF and substance misuse screening tool
would be greatly received
Many thanks in advance
Byron Taylor
Young People's Substance
Misuse Commissioner
Drug & Alcohol Strategy Team
23 Mercia Grove
Lewisham
SE13 6BJ
020 8314 8149
07710 705 589
-----Original Message-----
From: List for social workers working with substance use issues
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Victor
Galea-Borg
Sent: 09 August 2007 09:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: New web-based distance learning courses from Middlesex
University
Hello
Middlesex University's School of Health and Social Sciences is a leading
centre for research and professional development in the fields of dual
diagnosis and cultural competence. Our commitment to supporting a
variety of approaches to learning has prompted us to develop two new
web-based distance learning courses.
Foundations in Working with Dual Diagnosis (Substance Misuse and Mental
Health) is now being offered as a web-based distance learning e-module
in response to popular demand. It draws upon the School's MSc in Dual
Diagnosis which was developed in partnership with the highly respected
Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health and was the first course of its kind
in the UK; it has been running since 2001 and has set the standard for
others to follow. Students who successfully complete the e-module will
receive a University transcript awarding them 30 credits at level 3
which they will be able to utilise the towards another Middlesex
University award.
Promoting Cultural Competence in Health and Social Care Practice has
been developed by Professor Irena Papadopoulos, an eminent figure and
leading researcher in the fields of transcultural health and nursing,
and cultural competence studies. This new web-based distance learning
e-module builds on the experience gained in developing and supporting
MSc-level web-based courses. Successful students will be able to
utilise credits gained by successful completion of this course to
progress towards advanced studies/awards.
If any of the above is of interest to you or your colleagues please
browse to
http://www.mdx.ac.uk/hssc/business
or contact me; see below.
Best regards
Victor Galea-Borg
CPD Administrator
HSSc Business Services
Middlesex University
Furnival Building, 2-10 Highgate Hill
London N19 5LW
Tel. +44 (0)208 411 4760
Fax +44 (0)208 411 4777
Email [log in to unmask]
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