Guidance on Young People's consumption of Alcohol

Principles

  • Foster carers have a crucial role in promoting the health of any child or young person in their care.
  • Children and young people may have experienced trauma and abuse associated with alcohol consumption or have existing patterns of alcohol abuse themselves. It is therefore vital that carers have full background information about each child.
  • Foster carers need to be sensitive to the child or young person’s perceptions of adult drinking patterns and behaviour.
  • Whilst it is legal for children over 5 years to drink alcohol in their home the Department of Health guidance advises that children should have an alcohol free childhood.

 

The law in England, Scotland and Wales

Under 5
It is illegal to give an alcoholic drink to a child under 5 except in certain circumstances (e.g. under medical supervision).

Under 14
A young person under 14 cannot go into the bar of a pub unless the pub has a ‘children’s certificate’. If it does not have one, the child/young person can only go into parts of licensed premises where alcohol is either sold but not drunk (e.g. an off-licence or a sales point away from the pub), or drunk but not sold (e.g. a garden or family room).

14 or 15
14- and 15-year-olds can go anywhere in a pub, but they cannot drink alcohol.

16 or 17
16- and 17-year-olds can buy (or be bought) beer or cider (and wine in Scotland) as an accompaniment to a meal, but not in a bar (i.e. only in an area specifically set aside for meals).

Under 18
Except for 16- or 17-year-olds having a meal, it is against the law for anyone under 18 to buy alcohol in a pub, off-licence, supermarket, or other outlet; or for anyone else to buy alcohol in a pub for someone who is under 18.

 

By-laws and police action

In the UK some towns and cities have local by-laws banning the drinking of alcohol in public places. The police also have authority to confiscate alcohol from those under 18 who are drinking it in a public place and can arrest anyone who tries to prevent them confiscating what they believe to be alcohol.

 

Support to foster carers

  • The foster carer should be made fully aware of any concerns relating to the health of the young person. This includes having full background information relating to any history of drug/alcohol or substance use by the young person or their family.
  • Any risks to the child or young person need to be clearly recorded and a risk assessment put in place.
  • The Placement Plan will record agreed strategies for managing behaviour within the placement.
  • The Fostering Social worker will identify any specific support required by the foster carer, such as further training for the foster carer, and will review this support through supervision or at more frequent intervals if appropriate.
  • The foster carer should notify the child’s or young person’s social worker and the fostering social worker of any concerns about the child or young person’s use of alcohol, drugs or substances.
  • The foster carer should seek the advice of the child social worker and the fostering social worker as required.
  • The fostering social worker should ensure that the foster carer has access to relevant core training and continuing professional development activities as necessary.

 

Use of alcohol in the foster home

Carers should be aware that many children and young people in care have had negative experiences of alcohol including violence and abuse. Carers therefore need to be sensitive to the young person’s perception of adults drinking and how this might vary from their own children’s experience. 

Foster carers have a responsibility for modelling the sensible use of alcohol. When using alcohol foster carers need to consider and understand that alcohol reduces concentration and impairs responses that may lead to unprofessional conduct. 

Carers need to ensure that they are alcohol free if they wish to drive a child anywhere. If in an emergency a child needs to be taken somewhere and a carer has consumed alcohol, then an alternative driver needs to be found or a taxi called. 

Foster carers should keep themselves informed of official health guidelines for “sensible drinking”. Further information can be found at Alcohol units - NHS (www.nhs.uk) 

Under no circumstances should foster carers buy alcohol for young people or encourage them to use alcohol.

 

Further related guidance from British Association for Adoption & Fostering

 

What you can do if your child starts drinking?

  • Talk to your child about the dangers of alcohol before they start drinking

 

If your child is drinking

If your child is drinking alcohol, or intends to, you should talk to them about it. 

  • Make it clear that you disapprove.
  • Don't shout at your child. This will make them defensive and could make the situation worse. Instead, stay calm and firm.
  • Make it clear that you’re there for them if they need you, and answer any questions they have.
  • Talk to your child about how alcohol affects judgment. Drinking too much could lead them to doing something they regret, such as having unprotected sex, getting into fights or drink driving.
  • Warn your child about the dangers of drink spikingand how to avoid it.
  • Make sure your child has a plan for getting home safely and tells you where they’re going. If they’re planning to drink, make sure they're with friends who can look after them.

Further information about children, young people and alcohol can be found on:-

Guest blog: A parent’s guide to preventing underage drinking | Drinkaware