The drug and alcohol problems of ever-younger parents are to blame for more and more Dundee children being categorised as “at risk”.

Almost half of the 93 children on the register are there because of their parents’ substance abuse, and social workers and others working with children and families are being told to set aside parents’ interests when dealing with cases and concentrate on their offspring. Councillor Neil Powrie, social work spokesman for the council’s Conservative group, described the situation as a “constant battle” against drugs and alcohol.

He added, “Despite the best efforts that are being made by national and local government and all the agencies, there’s a continuing rise in the number of young people and, in particular, young parents taking drugs and alcohol which has resulted in more children being put at risk because of neglect or abuse.”

Councillor Powrie continued, “This is a worry to me and to the whole of society. We appear to be just keeping our heads above water in trying to combat the increased use of drugs within society.”

The new council “protocol” states, “All agencies in contact with children and families have a responsibility to act if they become worried about a child’s welfare or a parent’s ability to care for the child safely and adequately.

“The welfare of the child is the paramount consideration. If a child is at risk, this must over-ride concerns about the parent’s wishes or welfare.”

The protocol was agreed at a meeting of the city council’s social work committee earlier this week.

The new code of conduct aims to improve the quality of joint working among agencies involved in assessing the addressing the needs of children affected by their parents’ substance abuse.

Underpinning the protocol is a set of principles which states the welfare of the child is of paramount importance, every child has the right to be treated as an individual, children have a right to express their views and all children have the right to protection from all forms of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

What the protocol sets out —

* It defines the problem of substance misuse;

* Explores the impact of parental substance misuse on their children

* Helps agency staff to decide when children need help;

* Describes the process involved in assessing the needs of children, young people and their families;

* Promotes the importance and features of effective partnership working;

* Provides guidance on how agencies should share information when children may be at risk.

Social work convener Councillor Helen Wright said today, “Now the protocol has been provided, the next step will be training all staff to ensure a consistent message goes out from all agencies involved.”