Black Country FDAC

Time for Change (Early FDAC) Timeline

An assessment process that works within the legal framework of 12 weeks, outside of the court process. 

  • Offers intensive support to overcome parents’ substance misuse, relationship issues, and support with parenting and trauma. 
  • We will complete an assessment to help produce an intervention plan that will give parents an opportunity to show their strengths and ability to change in a way that meets their child’s needs. 
  • If changes aren’t made in the child’s timeframes, FDAC will continue to support a family into the FDAC Court process if appropriate. 

Trial for Change Timeline

  • An assessment process that works within the legal framework of 26 weeks. 
  • Offers intensive support to overcome parents' substance misuse, relationship issues and support with parenting and trauma. 
  • We will complete an assessment to help produce an intervention plan that will give parents an opportunity to show their strengths and ability to change in a way that meets their child’s needs. 

 

Frequently asked questions

How is FDAC different from normal care proceedings? 

If a parent chooses to enter the Family Drug and Alcohol Court, they are signing up to an alternative family court for care proceedings. We are a problem-solving court and have a firm focus on working positively with parents.  

It is designed to work with parents who struggle with drugs and alcohol. The FDAC Team works closely with the judge and other professionals to provide treatment and support for parents wishing to make positive lifestyle changes. The FDAC judge holds fortnightly non-lawyer reviews with parents, in addition to the usual court hearings with lawyers present. 

 

Does FDAC complete a Parenting Assessment?  

Yes. Parents engage with a tailored program of assessment and intervention.   

FDAC will file an initial parenting assessment, covering a range of issues including unprocessed trauma, loss and separation, substance misuse, mental health and psychological functioning.    

FDAC continuously evaluates the progress of the parents in relation to the key areas of concern identified. Over the course of their Trial for Change, a clear picture emerges of a parent’s capacity to attend, engage and apply their learning.   

FDAC’s final report will provide a summary across the range of factors considered including history, current functioning, mental health, domestic violence, substance use, relationships, lifestyle, family support and parenting.    

Regardless of the range of presenting issues, the assessment and its conclusions are focussed around two key questions:    

1) Can the parent overcome their problems inside their children’s timescales?    

2) Can the parent create a safe enough environment and meet their children’s needs inside their children’s timescales?    

 

What makes FDAC an Expert witness? 

FDAC keyworkers work as part of a multidisciplinary team, which includes Social Workers, Substance Misuse Specialist, Psychologist, Family Support worker and a Domestic Abuse Specialist. The team will complete an assessment and review any queries around mental health or psychological issues. They will consider the next steps in managing any of these issues.  

 

Why are we not instructing an independent psychiatrist or psychologist?  

As part of the FDAC Trial for Change, parents engage with an individualised programme of assessment and intervention. The initial assessment covers a range of issues including mental health and psychological functioning. Where mental health issues are identified at this screening stage, the team may take steps such as a referral to the appropriate local mental health service, or an appointment with the FDAC psychologist to strengthen an understanding of psychological needs and identify an appropriate treatment plan for mental health. 

 

What if the parent has a mental health diagnosis?  

Many parents coming to FDAC have previous diagnoses of mental health conditions and many have been subject to independent assessments in the past. Part of the FDAC process is to look at how these mental conditions manifest and affect functioning day to day, and to explore and implement alternative strategies to manage their presenting issues.  

The relevance of a parent’s psychiatric diagnosis in care proceedings is fundamentally related to whether it can be managed to the extent that it mitigates the risks to the children. As such, FDAC take the view that it is the dynamic aspects of this that are important to measure.  

 

What if there are concerns about intellectual functioning? 

Many parents coming into FDAC have difficulties with language, communication and cognitive functioning. Where there has been no previous assessment, FDAC will test out the parents’ capacity to understand, retain and process information.    

Many parents may come across as cognitively impaired but are in fact anxious, emotionally inhibited or have difficulties with communication. Often these barriers can be overcome through sensitive engagement.    

Substance misuse can also contribute to a parent presenting as cognitively impaired. Where FDAC continues to have significant concerns about a parent’s capacity to understand and effectively utilise their keywork sessions, then FDAC will recommend a cognitive assessment.