Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government taking to support local authorities in supporting families with a child who is abusing (a) drugs and (b) alcohol during the covid-19 outbreak.

Health, care and other professionals continue to have vital safeguarding functions to identify and support children and young people at risk. It is important that drug and alcohol support services are also maintained. Public Health England and the Department have published ‘COVID-19: Guidance for commissioners and providers of services to people who use drugs and alcohol’ available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-commissioners-and-providers-of-services-for-people-who-use-drugs-or-alcohol

The FRANK website and helpline also continue to provide a service for people concerned about their own or others’ drug and alcohol consumption. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.talktofrank.com