ASCERT empowers people to make a positive difference where alcohol and drug related issues damage lives

	Family-Works
About this project: Parental substance misuse can cause stress and harm within families and in particular have negative outcomes for children. Our service aims to support children aged 11-18 years and their families where they are affected by an adult family member’s misuse of alcohol, prescription or illicit drugs. We are prioritising those families who are unlikely to be receiving support through statutory child, family or addiction services. Our service is available in the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust area. Family-Works aims to: * Provide young people and their families with appropriate packages of support that will reduce the impact of parental substance misuse on their lives. * Increase understanding of the effects of substance within the family. * Promote healthier relationships. * Support and sustain positive changes in the family’s life. Referrals: Referrals can be made by all statutory or voluntary organisations, by family members or as a self-referral. Referral forms are available here or contact us and we will send one to you. Once we receive a referral we will arrange an assessment which will inform us on their suitability for the service and what kind of support package we can offer. This is something we will agree with the young person and their family. We will also signpost to other appropriate services. We will meet clients in our family-friendly offices in Lisburn and Downpatrick. We can also visit people at home or invite families to engage in activities elsewhere with the aim of experiencing new possibilities, find inspiration, hope and new ways of understanding. We can work with the young person, other family members or the whole family. We offer our services to: Individuals: We can meet with the young person only or with the carer who misuses substances or is in recovery, or with the non-consuming parent. We aim to allow space to express feelings, reduce stress, improve coping and increase hope. We believe in building on people’s strengths, in respecting them for who they are and in reducing guilt or blame for parental substance misuse. Families: Parental substance misuse influences the lives of other family members. Clients can meet with us as a whole family, as part of it or bring a friend. We have experience, knowledge and skills in how to support the family to agree amongst themselves on realistic and practical solutions that can help them live happier and healthier lives. Groups: We organise groups where clients can engage with other people in similar situations. This offers the opportunity to learn from others through activities and personal development programmes. This may be young people or the parents or carers.

Family-Works