Parental Substance Misuse Worker

The Parental Substance Misuse Worker (PSMW) works directly with parents to support them to make changes to their drug and/or alcohol use. As part of the work, the PSMW will arrange to meet with the parent for a 1:1 session to talk about their substance misuse and to try and help them to support changes. 

This support service is available only to parents whose children are currently known to Wandsworth Department of Education and Social Services and who have an allocated social worker. 

The PSMW:

• can make direct referrals to adult substance misuse treatment providers. Alternatively if the parent does not wish to access substance misuse support they can provide 1:1 direct work with the parent instead.
• will also be able to contribute to children’s social work assessments including a specific piece of work detailing the parent’s substance misuse issues.   

Referrals to the PSMW can be made by any social worker based within Children’s Specialist Services who has a concern about a parents drug or alcohol use. Please email or call the PSMW directly to discuss the referral. The case must be open and allocated to a Children’s Social Worker.