Building a partnership with alcohol and drug services

Collaboration between child protection and drug and alcohol services is crucial for good outcomes. These are complementary services, but they also have their differences.

Your primary job is as an advocate for children and their safety. Children are always your primary client. While their whole family and alcohol and other drugs professionals must be spoken with and worked with, the needs of the child always come first.

For most alcohol and other drugstreatment programs, the user of the alcohol or drug is the primary client. Service is designed to suit their needs. While family life may be part of their assessment, the person’s relationship with substances is more likely to be the main focus of intervention.

Recovery can be a long process, but a child’s safety must be addressed immediately. This balance is only possible with the support of families and their network, which could include community and alcohol and other drugs service providers.