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Pre-Birth, Infancy and Early Years

This evidence briefing focuses on what works with regards to alcohol and drug prevention in pre-birth, infancy and early years. It relates to parents during pregnancy and infants and children up to five years old. However, it is important to note that there is a large cross-over of what works with the evidence briefing on children and young people.

Need to Know and Key Findings

Need to Know. Parental alcohol and drug use can have a negative effect on children. If this is the case, it could be considered to be an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) dependent on levels of use etc, alongside other harmful experiences such as physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. An accumulation of ACEs can increase the risk of a child being affected by problem alcohol and drug use in later life. Children who grow up in homes where alcohol or drug use is problematic are statistically more likely to develop alcohol and drug issues themselves and face significantly higher risks of medical, psychosocial and behavioural issues. Children who are exposed to alcohol prenatally can have specific and lifelong neurodevelopmental problems collectively referred to as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Improving parenting skills and bonding between children and their parents is an effective preventative approach A focus on developing protective skills, values and attitudes in early years education is effective For children whose mother or father has issues with alcohol and/or drug use, effective prevention begins before the child is born to lower their risk of problem alcohol or drug use later in life and positively influence their development The individuals delivering an approach – teachers, psychologists, mentors, peers – need on-going, high quality training and support. This includes training to ensure their practice is trauma-informed One approach might not fit all. The age, developmental stage, circumstances and needs of each child and family within a targeted group need to be considered when designing and delivering a prevention programme.

Good Practice
Potential Stakeholders
  • Early years education (including childcare services)
  • Parental and postnatal care (including health visitors)
  • Families and children
  • Third sector
  • Police Scotland
  • Social Workers
Full Evidence Briefing

To view the full Evidence Briefing for Children and Young People please click HERE.