This briefing sets out evidence collated during 2020 – internationally and in Ireland – around the very likely increase in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), specifically problem parental substance use, during the pandemic.

The paper recommends:

• A whole-of-government approach to tackle childhood adversity arising from parental problem substance use with an identifiable senior official appointed with specific responsibility to advise, develop and plan appropriate policies and services. 

• The current ‘Hidden Harm’ framework requires momentum and urgency particularly in information campaigns, training and raising awareness among all professionals. 

• Drug and alcohol taskforces should be assigned dedicated funding to support trauma-informed services to support children and families affected by problem parental substance use. 

• Schools should seek to strengthen collaboration with services working with children and families to support a child who might be at risk of hidden harm. The ‘Operation Encompass’ model, an early intervention that allows police to notify schools of a child‘s family situation involved in a domestic incident.