One of the reasons why children are placed for adoption is parental addiction. Children are removed from the birth home if the parents suffer from addictions such as drink and drugs.

A scheme launched in Nottingham will aim to help children whose parents have such addictions. DAVID WHITFIELD and GAYLE GRAHAM look at what the project is hoping to achieve.

SUE'S mum died when she was just four. And 18 months later, her dad started drinking.

Now a teenager, she accepts her dad is an alcoholic but she can't get away from the guilt.

"After my mum died my dad brought me up, and things were kind of normal for a while," she says.
"I felt close to my dad, and happy.
"When my dad started drinking again, I was five or six.
"I had to look after myself from a very young age.
"At the end of the school day, a teacher often had to take me home because my dad hadn't turned up to collect me.
"There were times I came home and there was nothing in the fridge. All I would have to eat that day was my school dinner.

"Money was always a problem. I stood out in school because I was always a little scruff.
"What I wanted was for my dad to stop drinking. I begged him. I felt it was my responsibility to get him to stop.
"I know now it's not my fault that my dad drinks but I still feel guilty."

Sue, now 18, is just one of the reasons why the Children's Society is launching a new scheme in Nottingham to help children living in families with drink and drugs problems.

The project is one of only seven across England and Wales and will aim to make sure that children do not fall into the same traps as their parents.

It will work with children aged five to 13 whose parents or other family members are heavy drinkers or using drugs. And the hope is that the scheme will prevent children being removed from their homes.

Project leader Sara Meyer said: "Children who live in a family where there is drug or alcohol use may experience fear, isolation and even a sense of guilt.

"They can have difficulties with simple things like knowing if they will be going to school that day, or if there is anything to eat.

"But some children do experience high levels of risk, not just from neglect but also from physical injury.

"We need to listen to those feelings and encourage children to speak out and seek help.

"Although there are a number of support services for families and parents, there is very little specifically aimed at children."

Research has shown that the children of heavy drinkers are more likely to end up with a drink problem themselves.

The new Stars project (Support, Therapeutic Advocacy and Outreach Services) will run in Bestwood, Bulwell, Snapewood, Bulwell Hall, Top Valley and Crabtree Farm.

Karl Lonsdale, one of the project workers, said: "The goal of the project is to change the system so children aren't being continually drawn into the drugs and alcohol lifestyle.
"We believe 50 to 100 children in Nottingham could be helped.
"The project will carry on for as long as it needs to in order to benefit as many youngsters as possible."

Nottingham was chosen as the location because of the work the Children's Society is already doing in the city, and because research carried out with the city council showed a need for the initiative.

Children can contact the project themselves, or be referred by social services or their school. Staff will be visiting schools to make teachers aware of the new scheme.

Members of the project will then: