Growing Support: A Review of Services for Vulnerable Families with Very Young Children is drawn from a survey of vulnerable families with children under three who had used social work services in different parts of Scotland. More than a third of the families had been the subject of child protection enquiries and more than a quarter had a history of domestic abuse. More than half the families were headed by a lone parent and almost one in five were affected by mental illness, usually that of a parent or partner, while a similar proportion had a history of drug dependency or alcohol abuse.
The research team found that the parents they spoke to tended to have negative perceptions of social work services, and many described their fears that if they confided in social workers, their children would be taken away. Few had a consistent relationship with a named GP, and while health visitors were more often seen as a potential source of support, levels of contact were inconsistent.
However, almost all the parents were very positive about family centres, which met their needs for respite, advice and support, and contact with others with the same problems.
The report says, 'The combination of direct provision of a valued service, usually childcare, regular and routine, often daily, contact and direct access to a listening ear and some personal support in attractive family-friendly surroundings, can do much to alleviate the tensions surrounding families' contact with professionals.'
Some local authorities offered respite and support through childminding or nursery care, and home visiting by home support workers. Families found these services particularly helpful, but the report comments that their contribution to child welfare was often not adequately evaluated or reflected in the local authorities' records.
The report is available on www.scotland.gov.uk.
