More children ringing Manchester ChildLine worried about parent alcohol intake

New statistics by the NSPCC reveal more than 70,000 children in England have a parent struggling with alcohol misuse.

Last year, the NSPCC Helpline took an average of six calls a day from adults with concerns about a child linked to alcohol or substance misuse.

Anna Krala is team manager for the ChildLine service based in Manchester, she said: " In the past 12 months, we've had over 300 contacts from young people, which are related to issues within the home due to parental alcohol misuse."

Anna said children living with parents who are mis-using alcohol can cause numerous problems: "There isn't routine within the home, so we can have young people who are missing school, or not going to school, therefore, that's impacting their education.

"We often hear that children are isolating themselves as well, so they're not mixing with their friends anymore so they're becoming quite withdrawn.

"It also impacts on them mentally and emotionally because they're not getting that warmth and that secure parenting.

"They're not getting regular meals, they're becoming dishevelled, they might not be getting washed and bathed regularly. It's a whole impact on their lives."

This Children of Alcoholics Week (11th- 17th February) the NSPCC is urging adults to speak out if they are concerned about a child.

The number of children in England with a parent who misuses alcohol remains consistently high, with more than 70,000 cases being recorded each year since 2019/20.

Last year, 71,580 children were identified through Child in Need assessments as having a parent in this position*.

The NSPCC is highlighting this figure at the start of Children of Alcoholics Week, which raises awareness of children affected by a parent’s drinking. The annual campaign, which is led in the UK by the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa), aims to shine a light on children struggling alone in silence with this issue.

Last year, the NSPCC Helpline took an average of six contacts a day** from adults with concerns about a child linked to parental alcohol or substance misuse.

Over the same period, the charity’s Childline counselling service delivered 338 counselling sessions to children with concerns on this issue.

The NSPCC wants to encourage adults to speak out if they are concerned about a child so that children and families can be supported.

Ashley*, a Childline counsellor from Liverpool, said: “My mum was an alcoholic from as far back as I can remember. I felt like I had no one to turn to and had no idea where I could reach out to for support. When I became a Childline counsellor I was so happy to see that there was support out there.

"Alcoholism has a major effect on children’s lives. It’s not easy to find your voice and speak out if you’re concerned about your parents drinking but Childline is an amazing service and I wish that I knew about Childline when I was younger.

“There is support out there, you don’t need to suffer in silence.”

Kam Thandi, NSPCC Helpline Director, said: “Living with a parent who misuses alcohol can leave children feeling isolated, confused, embarrassed and ashamed. The truth is, this is an issue that is often not talked about within a family and attempts are made to hide it. But secrecy makes it difficult for anyone else to notice and provide support, which is why we’re urging adults to look out for the signs and to encourage those impacted by it to speak out and seek help, so in turn children and families can be supported.”

Signs that families might be experiencing problems due to alcohol misuse include:

• Parents may be visually under the influence of alcohol
• A change in the parent’s behaviour as they may have difficulty controlling their emotions or act irrationally or unpredictably
• A child may become withdrawn or develop behavioural, emotional or mental health problems
• Aggressive or repeated shouting at home
• Children may have taken on the responsibility of caring for their parents or siblings
• Children looking dirty or not changing their clothes

One 15-year-old girl told Childline: "My mum is up and down – sometimes she’s fine and sober but it can quickly change and she becomes worse again… She gets abusive when she’s drunk and gets angry at me and my sisters. I don’t like being at home."

Hilary Henriques MBE, Chief Executive of Nacoa UK, said: “Imagine a childhood where your life is taken over by your parent’s drink problem. Coming home from school not knowing what you’ll find. Having no friends because you can’t take them home.

“Drink and the effects it has on children is one of the great secrets in our society today. That is why during COA Week we sweep everything aside and break the silence, to let these vulnerable young people know they are not alone.”