LIVERPOOL City Council and its partner agencies are set to introduce a transformative way of working to help families recovering from drug and alcohol addiction and who are receiving specialist care.  

The Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) offers an alternative to the family court process by providing parents with specialised support to address the root causes of substance misuse. This approach helps families create a healthier, more stable future.

Set to launch in April 2025, Liverpool will establish its own FDAC service at the Liverpool Civil and Family Court. 

The Council’s Children’s and Public Health teams will work with partner agencies, including CAFCASS to develop a dedicated team of professionals, with the expert guidance of HHJ Parker, the Designated Family Judge for Cheshire and Merseyside, who has been a strong advocate for establishing FDAC for Liverpool families.

This team will specialise in substance use, mental health, domestic abuse, and child protection, ensuring comprehensive assistance to families who are under specialist care.

Parents will receive help and guidance to abstain from drugs and alcohol and are also provided with advice, treatment, and assistance in understanding and addressing any underlying issues.

Families are also supported in fostering stronger relationships and developing a lifestyle that prioritises children's needs. 

The Council has seen a significant increase in care applications, with a 55% rise in cases from January to July 2024. 

Nationally parental use of drugs and alcohol is estimated to be involved in two-thirds of care applications, making it a leading cause of child neglect and abuse.  

The introduction of FDAC will help address these challenges by ensuring families receive the right support at the right time, ultimately aiming to reduce the number of children entering care. 

Evidence from national research shows the effectiveness of FDACs:- 

• 52% of children with a primary carer in FDAC care proceedings were reunified, compared to 12.5% in non-FDAC cases. 

• FDAC parents are more likely to sustain abstinence from substance use long-term, reducing the likelihood of repeat care proceedings. 

• FDAC interventions lead to fewer contested hearings and shorter court proceedings, generating cost savings for local authorities and the judicial.

Councillor Liz Parsons, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, said:- "Our children and young people deserve the best start in life, which means growing up in safe, stable, and loving homes. Introducing the Family Drug and Alcohol Court model represents a significant step forward in helping families overcome substance misuse challenges. By addressing the underlying causes that put families at risk, we’re providing them the opportunity to stay together and thrive. This approach not only eases pressure on the courts and vital services but, most importantly, puts our families' needs 1st." 

Jenny Turnross Corporate Director of Children's Services said:- "The introduction of the Family Drug and Alcohol Court offers a real opportunity to give parents the support they need to turn their lives around. There is strong evidence that FDAC increases the chances of children being reunified with their parents. Additionally, parents in FDAC are more likely to achieve abstinence from substances by the end of proceedings. By working closely with our partners, families can receive the wrap-around care they need to stay together and build a more stable future. We will continue to monitor outcomes to ensure the best possible support for families in our community."

Designated Family Judge for Cheshire and Merseyside, HHJ Steven Parker, said:- “The establishment of the Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) in Liverpool represents a major achievement for the family justice system in this great City, and the realisation of a personal ambition as Designated Family Judge. The intensive programme, run by a multi-disciplinary team, helps families affected by the complex challenges presented by the damaging effects of drug and alcohol abuse, domestic abuse, and mental health problems. We know this problem-solving approach works and gives families the best chance of staying together or being re-united, when it is safe and in the best interests of the children to do so.”