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Working with families where there is domestic violence, parent substance misuse and/or parent mental health problems: a rapid research review

Report | December 2015

This rapid research review has been prepared to inform the DfE-funded Innovation Programme in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight but it is of interest more broadly to all local authority children`s services departments working with vulnerable children and young people.

The review includes:

  • A summary of the reported prevalence of these mainly parent-related factors in different cohorts (i.e. the overall population; families subject to child protection procedures or care proceedings; and serious case reviews)
  • The context for thinking about changes in social work and whole system practice with reference to these `toxic trio` and `toxic duo` families commonly presenting to children`s social care services
  • Findings from research to date about the impact of and `what works` in relation to each of these elements in isolation as well as collectively