Sherwood Community Centre
Woodthorpe House
Mansfield Road
Nottingham
NG5 3FN
0115 955 3152
www.sherwoodplaygroup.co.uk
Registered Charity Number 1156146
Policy for if a Parent Arrives under the Influence of Alcohol
Sherwood Playgroup has a duty of care to every child who attends our setting. Staff will assess the significant impact that alcohol could have on a child if a Parent comes to collect their child and is clearly under the influence of alcohol.
If staff feel in their professional judgement that a child is safe to go home with the Parent then staff can release the child into that Parent’s care.
A Parent must be coherent, not falling about, able to walk properly. Staff must be mindful that the Parent could have had a lunch time drink and is perfectly fine to collect their child.
Staff must however log every occasion that the Parent turns up smelling of alcohol. If it is happening on a regular basis staff will speak to the Parent and inform them that a referral to Children’s Social Care could be made in the interests of the child’s safety, particularly if through logging and monitoring staff have found that it has happened on numerous occasions.
If and when a Parent turns up and is not coherent, slurring words falling about, shouting etc an immediate referral to Children’s Social Care will be made and the Parent will not be allowed to remove the child from the setting. Staff will have to be mindful that the Parent could become aggressive and would have to call the police if they are feeling in any danger.
If a Parent comes to collect their child and you can smell alcohol and you suspect that Parent may be driving a car the Parent must be challenged by staff. Staff will ask if they have driven to the setting as you can clearly smell alcohol on them and that you are concerned about the safety and welfare of their child being in a car if the Parent has been drinking. Staff will suggest to the Parent that they leave their car in the car park and either walk home or catch a bus. If the Parent does get into their car staff should log and monitor all incidents and if they feel it necessary in the interest of the child’s safety they should call the police and report the Parent for driving under the influence of alcohol.