Issue - meetings

Consideration has been given to an update on the delivery and outcomes of the Northeast Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC NE) and to request to continue funding it for a further two years.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council acting as the Lead Authority and continuing to host the FDAC NE service be approved.

(ii)

That funding of £117k per year for the continued delivery of the FDAC service across Gateshead into years 3 and 4 be approved.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

FDAC NE complements the ambition of the Thrive agenda in making Gateshead a place where everyone thrives, supporting whole family approaches and recovery.

(B)

To achieve the aims set out in the Thrive Policy Framework, Gateshead residents must be provided with good quality support and services. This is one way of enabling Gateshead residents to tackle the problems they are facing and preventing those problems from escalating.

(C)

FDAC NE provides longer-term benefits of successful reunification to children and improved life chances; less demand / costs in Social Care, Health, Criminal Justice, Education and Welfare Benefits. There are also several benefits to the parents including stability within treatment services, improved wellbeing and reductions in other associated issues (community safety impacts, offending, etc).

(D)

FDAC NE complements the recent work of the Police and Crime Commissioner in directing a preventative agenda focusing on communities and tackling root causes to make a difference and improve people’s lives.

(E)

FDAC national research and evaluation findings suggest this type of intervention was more effective than standard care proceedings in achieving parental substance misuse cessation and reuniting families at the end of proceedings. It was also more successful in preventing relapse and a return to previous parental lifestyle choices after children were reunified.