Parental mental ill health and substance misuse are factors that can have a negative impact on parenting capacity and often co-exist. Children and young people may be adversely affected by their parent's mental ill health or substance misuse but may also experience difficulties themselves with mental ill health and substance misuse.
The following resources provide further information for social workers.
For general information on the Mental Health Act 1984 and specifically the law relating to individuals being detained, please visit the NHS Mental Health Act web page.
For information on police powers for removing individuals to a place of safety under the Mental Health Act 1984 please see Guidance on police powers.
For information on peri-natal mental health provision please see the guidance NHS peri-natal mental health care pathways.
The Young Minds website provides information and advice on children and young people's mental health.
The MIND website also provides information on mental health and available support.
For information on assessing an individual's capacity for decision making and giving consent where there are mental health issues please see the following guidance from NICE.
Decision making and mental capacity
Nearest relative information sheet
For information on how to get urgent support please see below.
Urgent mental health support in London can be accessed on these numbers
Urgent support - information for parents
Urgent support - information for professionals