This report is the core output of a small-scale study into the Hidden Harm experienced by children and young people in Dublin’s Canal Communities: Bluebell in Dublin 12 and Inchicore and Rialto in Dublin 8. The term, Hidden Harm, is a summary term, used to characterise the experience of children and young people living with, and affected by, parental problem alcohol and other drug use. 

The term encapsulates two key features of children and young people’s experience of parental substance misuse:
a) The children and young people are often not known to services and are thereby hidden
b) They suffer harm in a number of ways because of compromised parenting which can impede young people’s social, physical and emotional development.

The study sought to understand Hidden Harm and its impacts on children and young people in the Canal Communities and to use information gathered from the research to create a shared roadmap for collaborative action that would address the needs of children and young people. Specifically, it set out to:

• Identify the nature and extent of Hidden Harm in the Canal Communities
• Anchor local experience within the context of national policy
• Capture learning about Hidden Harm and the challenges facing local service-providers in supporting young people experiencing Hidden Harm
• Identify a set of recommendations that would inform and strengthen future practice.

In addition to anchoring the study in national policy and local demographic contexts, the research primarily adopted a qualitative approach, consulting with local stakeholders from across four levelsof interest:

• Level 1: Professionalsworking in the Canal Communities specifically in the areas of substance misuse andHidden Harm, and their impacts. The total number of stakeholders consulted from this levelwas 13 individuals.
• Level 2: Professionalsworking directly with children and young people in their communities who may, consciouslyorunconsciously, engage with Hidden Harm. The total number of stakeholdersconsultedinthis category was 17 individuals.
• Level 3: Communityrepresentatives and pre-existing groups of parents residing in the communities of Bluebell, Inchicore and Rialto. The total number of Level 3 stakeholders consulted was individuals.