Science & Politics – Synergy or Conflict? The Family Drug and Alcohol Court Prof Judith Harwin Brunel University SSA Conference November 2015, York

The problem 60-70% of care proceedings involve parental substance misuse

The FDAC approach: aims 1. Help parents control/stop misuse 2. Reunite children safely with parents 3. If not possible, swift alternative permanency It offers ‘a trial for change’

FDAC devises a time limited trial for change with intensive support & authority of the court

The FDAC approach Main differences from ordinary care proceedings Parents see the same judge throughout Regular review hearings without lawyers A multidisciplinary team Mentors Voluntary – parents can opt for ordinary proceedings

The rise and rise of FDAC London FDAC opens in 2008 FDACs in 2015 Milton Keynes & Bucks, East Sussex, Coventry, Kent and Medway, South West Peninsula, West Yorkshire, Southampton

What is the evidence for FDAC? 90 FDAC and 101 comparison families Followed up to end of proceedings Reunited families (21 FDAC & 31 comparisons followed up for a year after proceedings ended

Outcomes at end of proceedings Higher rate of FDAC parents had stopped misusing by final order Mothers (40% v 25%) Fathers (25% v 5%). Higher rate of substance misuse cessation and reunification for FDAC mothers (35% v 19%). If reunification was not possible, placement with alternative permanent carers was not swifter At one year follow-up New episodes of neglect/ abuse occurred in fewer FDAC than comparison families (25% v 56%). “Promising and needs further testing”

The influence of FDAC – building synergies The Judge and team have won numerous prizes for innovation The court has been visited by senior judiciary, policy-makers, service developers A regular media presence

The influence of policy makers “The FDAC approach is crucially important. The simple reality is that FDAC works … FDAC is, it must be, a vital component in the new Family Court.” …I threw down this challenge to the DFJs: I want to see FDAC rolled out across the country in every DFJ area”. The President of the Family Division (View from the President’s Chambers No. 12)

Synergies: A good fit with political and policy objectives Support for FDAC from Labour and Conservative administrations FDAC has linked well and fed into policies for vulnerable children and drug strategy from the outset Government has encouraged a systematic approach to building the evidence base 11

Challenges not conflicts? Innovation in times of austerity is hard Willingness of health to invest and share costs Willingness to use the evidence post-proceedings support from FDAC specialist team Gaps in the scientific base Comparison groups Costs of care proceedings Evidence on long-term outcomes Changes in legislation Strengthening family support 12

Conclusions The synergies outweigh the challenges FDAC has ambitious plans for the future Up to 4 new FDACs planned per year over next 5 years Strengthening the evidence base Developing the model to deliver social justice