Estimates of the number of infants (under the age of one year) living with substance misusing parents
November 2011
A report describing research to find the number of children under the age of one in the UK who live with a parent affected by either one or a combination of substance misuse, domestic abuse, mental health problems.
The report explains how the figures were calculated through analysis of the National Psychiatric Morbidity Survey and discusses the findings.
Summary of findings
- Around 26% of babies (198,000) under the age of one in the UK have parents affected by either one or a combination of: domestic abuse, substance misuse, mental health problems.
- 14% of babies (109,000) in the UK are living with a parent who is a substance misuser.
- 19% of babies (144,000) in the UK have a parent who has a common mental health problem
- 5% of babies (39,000) in the UK have a parent who has experienced domestic abuse, in the past year.
Please note: percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 1,000. These are estimates based on analysis of a survey: they are not exact numbers.
Please cite as: Manning, Victoria (2011) Estimates of the number of infants (under the age of one year) living with substance misusing parents. London: NSPCC.
Related resources
These pages set out the evidence for making children aged under one year a priority, describe the NSPCC early intervention services to protect children under one and provides statistics, resources and publications.
Guidance, policy, research, practice and information about the NSPCC services to protect children from domestic abuse.
The NSPCC is calling on everyone - the public, professionals and governments – to ensure that all babies are protected from abuse and neglect.
Contact the NSPCC Information Service for more information on children under one, substance misusing parents or any child protection topic
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