Drug Education Policy
1. LINKS TO OTHER POLICIES AND APPLICATIONS
This policy should be linked to our Behaviour Policy and our Curriculum Policy. Mention will also be made in College Visits and Child Protection Policies. This policy applies to all areas of the College and all users. This policy links to the five outcomes of "Every Child Matters" - See Annex A.
2. REFERENCE TO GUIDANCE DOCUMENTATION
The policy refers to guidelines issued by the DFES and the Local Authority.
3. THE PURPOSE OF THE POLICY
The purpose of the College Drugs Policy is to:
· Cover all drugs and focus on alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, volatile substances and Class A drugs.
· Clarify the legal requirements and responsibilities of the College.
· Reinforce and safeguard the health and safety of pupils and others who use the College.
· Clarify the College's approach to drugs for all staff, pupils, governors, parents/carers, external agencies and the wider community.
· Give guidance on developing, implementing and monitoring the drug education programme.
· Enable staff to manage drugs on College premises and any incidents that occur, with confidence and consistency, and in the best interests of those involved.
· Ensure that the response to incidents involving drugs complements the overall approach to drug education and the values and ethos of the College.
· Provide a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of the College drug education programme and the management of incidents involving illegal and other unauthorised drugs.
· Reinforce the role of the College in contributing to local and national strategies.
4. DEFINITIONS
A drug can be defined as 'a substance people take to change the way they feel, think or behave' (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime).
This policy refers to:
- All illegal drugs
- All legal drugs including alcohol, tobacco, volatile substances and poppers
- All over the counter and prescription medicines
The word 'should' has been used to describe an expectation rather than a requirement.
5. THE COLLEGE'S
Illegal drugs have no place in College.
5.1 Medicine
Medicines may be allowed but there must be clear procedures and arrangements in place to administer these. (Refer to our policy on prescribed medicines - Page 56 DfES publication "Drugs: Guidance for Schools")
5.2 Alcohol
Alcohol can only be used in prescribed areas of the College and under the guidance of our regulations under the Licensing Act 1964. Alcohol can be sold to students only over the age of 18 and under the guidance of licensing laws. The drinking, selling and use of alcohol on educational visits is controlled by this ruling unless special dispensation is granted either by the Principal or Vice Principal. If students are found in possession of alcohol it should be confiscated and returned to the parent/carer.
5.3 Tobacco
The College does not permit the use of tobacco on the premises other than in the designated staff smoking room. The College will review this policy on a regular basis. Tobacco will not necessarily be confiscated but, in most cases, parents should be informed. The College will move towards developing a smoke-free environment.
6. HOW IS THE POLICY APPLIED?
6.1 The College must send a clear message to the whole College community that the possession, use or supply of illegal and other unauthorised drugs within the College boundaries is unacceptable. The College must ensure that the Drug Policy is understood by students, parents/carers, staff and the whole community. This will be achieved by sending clear messages home, use of the planner and assemblies.
6.2 The College premises includes journeys in College time, work experience, residential visits and the boarding house.
6.3 The College's duty of care relates to the normal time of the College day but will take responsibility for activities both beyond the College boundaries and the normal College day when this is felt to be appropriate.
6.4 In relation to the boarding establishment this policy will apply for all the time that the students are in the change of the College.
6.5 The College should be aware of the impact that parental or family members' misuse of drugs can have on children and their education. The College needs to be alert to behaviour that might indicate that a child is experiencing difficult home circumstances. Where problems are observed or disclosed the College must follow procedures set out in the Drug Policy.
6.6 The College should liaise with the Local Authority and the Drugs Education Team to the services available locally and key staff must familiarise themselves with established referral procedures.
6.7 Confidentiality cannot be promised and boundaries should be made clear to students. Disclosed information which the pupil asks not to be passed on should be retained confidentially unless this is unavoidable in order for teachers to fulfil their professional responsibilities.
7. THE ROLE OF THE POLICE
7.1 The College will normally report all incidents involving drugs to the police and seek their advice and possible involvement. The police will always be involved in the disposal of suspected illegal drugs.
7.2 The College will work in partnership with the police and liaise carefully.
7.3 Following the involvement of the police the College, in conjunction with the police, will decide whether the incident can be managed internally by the College.
7.4 Names of students involved will be given to the police.
7.5 Reference to the Youth Offending Team should also be made.
8. TAKING POSSESSION OF DRUGS
8.1 If a person is suspected of having an illegal substance staff should inform either a senior member of staff or a member of the pastoral team.
8.2 Where illegal substances, or substances that are thought to be illegal, are found College staff will take temporary possession to prevent an offence from being committed. All reasonable steps should be taken to deliver it to a member of the College Management Team. Illegal drugs must always be passed to the Principal.
When the suspected illegal drug is removed a second witness should be present throughout.
The suspected illegal drug should be stored in a secure location and the police asked to collect it without delay.
Parents must always be informed unless this would jeopardise the safety of the student.
If formal action is to be taken the student should attend the local police station. Arrest and interviews should not normally take place at College. An appropriate adult should always be present during the interview, preferably a parent.
8.3 Action on College Visits
Suspected illegal drugs (S.I.D.) should be returned to the College if this is possible, but in some cases the S.I.D. should be disposed of. Parents must be aware that the Drug Policy applies on College visits. If students breach the rules they should be returned home. On foreign visits the College must be aware of local laws. The College should check the drug policy rules of the local centre which may mean that these have to be followed.
8.4 Disposal of drug Paraphernalia
Needles etc should be disposed of in sturdy secure containers. If there is a big incidence of needle finding the LEA and police should be informed
8.5 Detection/Searching
Searches may take place by College staff but consent must always be sought. A second adult witness must be present. If students refuse the College should consider calling the police. Embarrassment and distress should be minimised.
It is not appropriate for members of staff to carry out a personal search - this includes outside clothing and inside pockets. Every effort should be made to persuade the person to hand over voluntarily any drugs. Where the student refuses and the College wishes to proceed, police must be called and they can conduct a personal search if they believe a crime has taken place. The College cannot detain a person without his/her consent.
College property can be searched but prior consent should always be sought, although individuals should be made aware that if consent is refused the College may search anyway. Personal property must not be searched without consent. If consent is refused parents can be called or the police will be called. Parents/carers should be informed that a search has taken place.
The College will ask local partners, e.g. the police and the Local Authority, to assist in the delivery of drug education. If demonstrations are used they will not form part of any detection exercise.
9. DRUG INCIDENTS - DEFINITIONS
9.1 The following categories can be defined as drug incidents:
- The finding of drug paraphernalia on the College premises.
- Students demonstrating inappropriate levels of knowledge of drugs, for their age.
- Possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia.
- A student supplying drugs on College premises.
- A student, parent/carer or member of staff thought to be under the influence of drugs.
- Information that the illegal sale or supply of drugs is taking place in the local area.
- Disclosure by students that they or a family member are misusing drugs.
Where there is an incident involving drugs the College must put safety and medical consequences at a high priority.
An investigation must be conducted to judge the seriousness of each incident. The emphasis must be on listening. In most cases students should be separated from each other. A second adult should be present during incidents.
9.2 Questions to Resolve
- Is this a one-off incident or longer term situation?
- Is the drug legal or illegal?
- What quantity of the drug was involved?
- What was the student's motivation?
- Was the student careful or reckless to their own and others' safety?
- What are home circumstances?
- Does the student know and understand the College policy/rules?
- Where does the incident appear on a scale from possession of a small quantity to persistent supply for profit?
- If supply is suspected how much was supplied?
- Was there coercion or was there evidence of organised or habitual supply.
If it is decided to involve the police detailed questioning should cease. This is to ensure that the case evidence is not corrupted.
9.3 Responses
Early Intervention and targeted prevention
The College should have an active intervention programme to help students who would benefit from targeted intervention. Students who would benefit from this include students whose performance is affected by drug use, students who are vulnerable, who feel under pressure to use drugs or whose drug use is impacting on their behaviour/emotional health.
Referral
Where students are identified to be in need, referral to other agencies should take place. This may be to specific drug agencies, like Youth Services etc. Generally parents/carers should be involved in this decision. Possible agencies include Connexions, Behaviour and Education Support teams, Youth Offending teams.
Counselling
Counselling can be offered to students but should not be imposed. Students can also self refer to the College Counselling Service.
Behaviour Support Plan
A behaviour and support plan can be agreed and signed by the pupil and the parents/carers. In this the College will set out clearly the terms on which a student remains at the College. This may include internal exclusion. Targeted drug education should be included.
Inter-Agency Programmes
Where a student is at risk of permanent exclusion or of criminal activity a pastoral support programme including multi-agency involvement should be established to support students towards re-instatement in the school.
Managed Move
A student may be moved to another school/college. All parties involved should be in agreement with this which should be in the interest of the pupil. The College would also look for the receiving school/college to adopt one of the above responses.
Permanent Exclusion
This should be seen as a final step only after all other strategies have been applied or the offence is very serious, such as supplying an illegal drug. The Governors would not reinstate students who supply an illegal drug. If permanent exclusion is taken, other agencies must be asked to be involved immediately.
Fixed Term Exclusion
If a student has offended at lower levels of incidents then a fixed term exclusion is appropriate and recommended.
10. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Parents should normally be involved. If this may put the child's safety at risk then this may not occur. Where a pupil needs protection the College Child Protection Co-ordinator should be consulted. Parents should be encouraged to approach the College if they are concerned.
If parents come to College under the influence of drugs a calm atmosphere should be maintained and alternative arrangements should be made to visit them with another adult present. Police or another agency should be asked to be involved in cases of risk.
11. STAFF CONDUCT AND DRUGS
- The College will move towards developing a smoke-free environment.
- Teachers have a duty of care at all times and on College visits.
- A member of staff may be deemed unfit for work if he/she poses a risk or potential risk to the health and safety of pupils and colleagues.
- Where a member of staff has a drug problem the NHSS Standards for Schools should be implemented. (Annexed to policy).
12. RECORDING OF INCIDENTS
All incidents should be fully recorded. Any notes may be used in subsequent court proceedings. Storage of information should be secure.
13. STAFF WITH KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- One member of the senior staff will have overall responsibility for all drug issues within the College. The person will be identified in the Staff Handbook.
- The teaching of drug education will be undertaken with the PSHE curriculum and by the organisation of interventions in each year. The PSHE will be by school staff whilst specialist help should be sought for the intervention work. (Annexed to policy),
- Some drug education should also be taught within the Science Curriculum; Drug Education (to be annexed to this policy).
14. STAFF TRAINING AND SUPPORT
During the College induction programme staff will be given a good understanding of the College drug policy, including boarding staff. All teachers will be given training of drug identification and management strategies.
Teachers involved in drug education teaching should be given appropriate training to deliver content. This should be guided by the national professional development programme for teachers of PSHE/Citizenship.
15. MONITORING AND EVALUATION
There should be an effective monitoring and evaluation programme of teaching approach to identify the knowledge and skills that students have achieved. Monitoring and evaluation of how feelings and attitudes have been influenced during the programme should take place through the use of the annual student attitude survey.
16. THE ROLE OF GOVERNORS
The Governing Body should be aware of the College policy. A specific governor should take on the role of monitoring the provision of drug education.
17. STUDENT CONSULTATIONS AND INVOLVEMENT
Students should be aware of this policy and participate in its maintenance. This should be achieved through the use of the College Council.