ETC | Drugs Education Policy

Links With Other Policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with the school policy for:

The Management of drugs related incidents
School Discipline/Pastoral Policy
School Health and Safety Policy
School Visits policy
School PSHCE Policy
Drug Prevention and Schools (4/95)
Supporting Pupils with Medical needs in schools (14/96)
Kirklees Drugs policy guidance
Kirklees Confidentiality Policy/Guidance
Kirklees Healthy Schools Guidance

Background and Principles

As a school we recognise that drug use is a matter that concerns the whole community; drug use is a fact of life and an issue that pupils will have to face as they grow up.

The school has an important role to play in helping pupils learn about drug use/misuse. The school has a well planned PSHCE programme which addresses drug education throughout the school, and is involved in the Kirklees Healthy School Standard.

We condone neither the misuse of drugs (legal and illegal) by members of the school, nor the illegal supply of substances, and are committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for all who work here.

The school actively co-operates with other agencies such as Community Police, Social services, LEA and Health and Drug Agencies to deliver its commitment to Drugs education.

Defining Terms

In this document the term ‘drug’ will be used to cover illegal and medicinal drugs, alcohol, tobacco and volatile substance misuse (solvents).

Policy Aims

To ensure that the pupils understand the facts (based on current knowledge) about drug use/misuse.
To encourage an understanding of the possible benefits and drug use/misuse.
To encourage a wider understanding of the possible health related and social issues.
To ensure that pupils have the opportunity to explore their own experiences/attitudes and develop the skills that they need to make informed decisions in a drug taking society.
To minimise the possible risks that users and potential users may face.
To ensure that pupils, teachers and parents/guardians are aware of the support available in school from appropriate outside agencies.

How the Policy will be Disseminated

All members of the school community need to be aware of the policy. The policy will be monitored and reviewed by the Governing body.

Relevant extracts from it may/will be published in:

The school prospectus
The governor’s handbook
The staff handbook
The pupil’s handbook

Responsibility

The Headteacher is responsible for the overall policy and its implementation in school. This responsibility includes liaison with the governing body, parents, LEA and outside agencies.

The Governing Body has ownership of the policy and is responsible for its regular review.

Responsibilities

Managing Drug related incidents - The Headteacher
Co-Ordination of the Drugs Education Programme - Subject leader for PSHCE
Monitoring the Policy - Governors Sub Committee Pupils/Staffing

The school has appointed a Substance Misuse Co-ordinator who will be involved with the implementation of the policy.

Staff Training and Support

The school is aware of the need for all those involved with substance issues to be adequately trained and supported. Staff are encouraged to attend appropriate training.

Staff should be aware of the following sources of support

Kirklees PSHCE Adviser, Tel: 01484 225829
Drugs Education, Tel: 01484 225777
LIFELINE, Tel: 01484 353353
(Young Persons Service - Drug Referral/Counselling)

The Delivery of Education About Drugs

The above aims will be achieved through the learning experiences of pupils in the formal and the informal curriculum. Drugs education in the school addresses these aims in a planned and coherent fashion. It is undertaken by staff who are aware of the sensitive nature of their work. The school encourages all those involved with the teaching of drug education to attend relevant courses and is committed to producing schemes of work, which reflect current knowledge and approach.

It is important that the school’s drug education programme gives clear and consistent messages about drugs. The Science and the PSHCE department have met to discuss a co-ordinated approach and will continue to work together to ensure that modules of work complement and supplement each other. Detail of curriculum content is available from the departments on request.

Education about drugs is however, the responsibility and concern of all members of the staff of the school. All should be aware of drug education and how these may relate to their own teaching and their work as a form tutor.

Parents should also be given the opportunity to discuss education about drugs. Teaching schemes and materials are available for parents at Open Evening or by appointment with the Drugs education co-ordinator.

Guidance for Staff (Teaching and Non-Teaching) – See Policy for the Management of Drugs-Related Incidents.

All staff should be aware of how to identify possible signs of drug misuse and their responsibility regarding drug-related incidents. If a pupil discloses drug use/misuse the member of staff should make it clear that they cannot offer any guarantee of confidentiality. They should inform a relevant senior member of staff and/or the Drug education co-ordinator.

Where staff discover substances which are suspected to be harmful, illegal or deserving of investigation, they should record the place, date, and circumstances. If at all possible, a witness should countersign this record. The Head teacher will decide what action should be taken.

Confidentiality

If a pupil approaches an individual for advice on a drug related matter they do so because they feel confident and comfortable with that person. The adult has a responsibility to explain to the pupil that ideally the matter should be discussed with their parents and that confidentiality may not be possible.

It is normal practice for parents to be informed at the earliest opportunity of any drug-related incident concerning their child. The pupil should be encouraged to talk with their parents and it may be expedient to check that this has taken place. It may well be that the pupil, having approached a teacher, may wish them to act as an intermediary, however, on rare occasions there may be legitimate grounds for not immediately informing parents/guardians. In these cases the teacher should ensure that the pupil knows where to obtain medical advice and encourage the pupil to discuss this with a responsible adult.

The Headteacher must always consider whether there are any child protection implications in any drug-related incidents. In such cases the Headteacher will seek advice from appropriate agencies (e.g. Social Services).

Any discussion between a member of staff and a pupil about a drug related issue should be discussed in a confidential, and if necessary, anonymous way with a senior member of staff.

A pupil may discuss any problem or issue with the school nurse in a confidential manner. Any matter regarding child protection issues will be dealt with immediately by informing the appropriate senior member of staff and other professionals.

The Use of Outside Agencies for the Delivery of Drugs Education

Outside agencies should be used with care, and their contribution properly planned as part of an overall programme. Their contribution should complement other teaching and should match the age and maturity of the pupils involved. Staff are encouraged to read annex 4 of circular 4/95 before inviting any speaker into school.

Teachers should remain in the room when the speakers are present and give pupils the opportunity to discuss follow up question or concerns.

The Head Teacher and the Governing Body

The Head teacher takes overall responsibility for the policy and its implementation in the school. This responsibility includes liaison with the Governing Body, the parents and the LEA and other appropriate outside agencies.

The Head teacher will be responsible for any contact with the media. No member of staff should speak to the media about drug related manners.

At all times the Head teacher will ensure that if any reporting of incidents takes place, it is in the best interest of the pupil, his/her family and the school.

The Management of Drugs at School

During the school day students must not be in possession of, or use

Cigarettes
Solvents
Any illegal substances

It is normal practice to involve parents/carers in cases of substance misuse as they have a right to know if their child is using or selling drugs

The school will always involve outside agencies in any incident relating to illegal substances. Students will be referred to Drug Sense using the Kirklees School Drug Referral Scheme. This means that the student involved will have his/her drug issues assessed by an appropriate professional in drugs issues. The school will be informed when the young person has attended and other details in agreement with the young person.

Any drug situation should be reported to the police who will decide if the young person is to be arrested.

A student will be excluded from school for the following offences:

Possession of a substance/drug
Using a substance /drug
Being under the influence of a substance/drug
Buying or selling substances
Offering or seeking to procure substances

Safeguarding Children

Drug Education Policy