There has been much recent research into the detrimental impact on young people when either or both of their parents/carers is affected by any one of the three issues referred to by professionals as the ‘Toxic Trio’, namely:

• having a parent who is a victim of domestic abuse
• parental substance misuse
• parental mental ill-health

Where any two or all three of these factors are present, research demonstrates that young people are at a greatly heightened risk of coming to significant harm.

A report into 139 Serious Case Reviews (conducted when a child dies or suffers significant harm) carried out between 2009 and 2011 shows that in 95% of all cases, at least one of the ‘Toxic Trio’ was a contributory factor.

In 63% of all cases, two of the Toxic Trio were contributory factors.

All three issues were present in 24% of cases.

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