The Family Drug and Alcohol Court is a problem solving court, hearing care proceedings where children are put at risk by parental substance misuse. The aim of FDAC is to help to keep families together, where possible, and to address the substance misuse which is at the core of the families problems.

Research has found that a much higher percentage of children whose cases go through the FDAC system are able to remain with their parents, compared with standard family care proceedings.

Working with the court will be a specialist multi-disciplinary team, including dedicated social workers, a psychologist, a Parental Substance Misuse Specialist, and a Mental Health Worker.

As well as the clear benefits to children and their parents, there are financial savings too, with FDAC cases being on average significantly less expensive than standard care proceedings. There are also potentially other costs savings, e.g. the costs of emergency call outs to the NHS and/or the police, which would have been spent on parents who are now able to abstain from drugs and/or alcohol.

The key aim is to improve children’s wellbeing, by enabling, where possible, safe family reunification. Achieving sustained abstinence is crucial.

Please help us raise as much as possible for this worthy cause – if set up, the benefits to the area will be immeasurable.

Set up by the Local Family Justice Board, supported by the Family Judges of Teesside and Darlington. Many of us are taking part in sponsored walks, as well as the Great North Run. No donation is too small and all are hugely appreciated!

Many thanks, the Teesside Local Family Justice Board.