Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what training is provided to health, education and social care professionals to distinguish presentations of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder from trauma or behavioural difficulties, to reduce the risk of misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.

The National Health Service supports the prevention and early identification of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) through existing national guidance available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/drinking-alcohol-while-pregnant/

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Quality Standard on FASD also supports prevention, diagnosis, and support for those affected.

It is the responsibility of integrated care boards in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including treatment pathways and support for FASD, in line with the NICE guidance and the UK Clinical Guidelines for Alcohol Treatment. Through the Public Health Grant, the Department is providing over £3.4 billion in ringfenced funding for drug and alcohol treatment and recovery over the next three years. This funding can also be used by local authorities to commission voluntary sector organisations to deliver drug and alcohol services.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) is designed to protect and empower people who may lack the mental capacity to make a decision themselves. The MCA code of practice provides guidance on how to assess whether someone has capacity to make a particular decision at the time it needs to be made. The Government is clear that professionals applying the MCA are expected to keep up to date with guidance and caselaw, and to correctly use the principles within the act. The MCA is available at the following link:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9/section/4

The NICE Quality Standard on FASD supports appropriate neurodevelopmental assessment where FASD is suspected and states that professionals undertaking these assessments should have expertise in neurodevelopmental assessment and additional training in FASD.