What should staff do if parents/carers arrive to collect their children in an intoxicated state?
The immediate concern is the safety of children. If staff believe that a child is in immediate danger by travelling with an adult under the influence of alcohol or other substances they should attempt to intervene by encouraging the adult to organise alternative transport such as a relative or a taxi. If a parent is unwilling to cooperate the most suitable agency to contact is the Police. Following the involvement of the Police, it is more appropriate for the person who had dealings with the intoxicated parent to notify this situation to the Child Abuse Report Line so that specific details can be provided. Discussion should occur with the Police regarding which agency makes a notification to Families SA if both agencies consider it appropriate (eg repeat occurrence). The number for Police immediate response is 131444.
