Barnsley alcohol testing firm moves into family courts

A Barnsley firm that has established itself providing drug and alcohol testing services to some of the world’s biggest airlines is expanding into the family court system.

Screen4, which normally tests pilots and crew from airlines including Qantas, Emirates and Cathay Pacific, is now testing parents to determine if they are abusing drugs and alcohol.

The Carlton firm operates in 20 countries, including Australia, the Middle East and South America, and has been supported in the move to the family court system by Enterprising Barnsley.

Director Jon May said: “We work globally with the aviation industry and also the maritime, petrochemical, transport, manufacturing and security sectors, but we realised there was also a need for our services closer to home.

“We have years of experience in testing and we know that family courts need to get it right. It is the family’s future that is at stake, so it’s vital that the courts have the best evidence they can when making decisions.

“Hair testing can show for example whether someone has taken drugs as a one-off or is a habitual user. That sort of evidence is so important.”

The courts service is offered throughout the UK, with clients in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Barnsley.

Screen4’s clients also include NHS substance misuse projects and HM Prison Service. The company also offers training in drug and alcohol awareness training.

Jon said: “What we do helps protect our customers, their staff and the public. However, the main aim is not to catch people out, but to have a system in place that discourages risky behaviour to start with.”

Shaun Higginbottom of Enterprising Barnsley, said: “Screen4 offer a service that can literally save lives. By testing people in safety critical roles, like airline pilots, they are helping make the world a safer place.

“Enterprising Barnsley has helped Screen4 get the right accreditation, and helped with other areas such as their branding. All that means they have been able to move into the medico-legal sector, which is an exciting new area for them.”

Enterprising Barnsley, which is delivered by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, offers a wide range of free business support to small and medium-sized businesses with growth potential.

The programme is supported financially by the European Union and has attracted £2,259,511 investment from the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development, through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme.