Milbourne Lodge School. Drugs Awareness and Education Policy. September 2016

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1 Milbourne Lodge School Drugs Awareness and Education Policy September 2016 Milbourne Lodge School Arbrook Lane, Esher, Surrey KT10 9EG T

2 Drugs Overall Aim To ensure that areas surrounding the use of illegal drugs alcohol and tobacco are dealt with in an appropriate way for the age range of pupils of Milbourne Lodge and to ensure that all pupils are knowledgeable about the effects on the human body of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs and how these relate to their personal health. The School is committed to protecting the health and safety of its pupils against drug abuse. The term Drugs in this context refers to; medicines, volatile substances, alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs and New Psychoactive Substances referred to as Legal Highs. The school believes that the possession and/or use of such drugs in school, during the school day or while travelling to/from school is inappropriate. The drugs/substances covered by this policy are not to be bought, sold or otherwise exchanged or brought onto school premises during the school day, or while pupils are on school visits. Individual exceptions may be made for pupils who require prescription medicines where appropriate. Pupils found in possession of drugs as defined in this document can expect their parents to be informed and, if appropriate, outside agencies to be consulted and an appropriate punishment administered. Subsequent offences may result in suspension. The school recognises its pastoral responsibility to all pupils and will consider the circumstances surrounding any incidents within context. A drug related form recording the incident will be completed. Staff The school is committed to ensuring that all staff are aware of current issues related to the use of; illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, illegal highs and that First Aiders are up to date on drug related first Aid. Additional Aims: To educate pupils on the effects of drugs (and solvents) on the mind and body at the appropriate level for the age and social development of its pupils. To provide opportunities for pupils to understand the social pressure surrounding the use of drugs to practice the personal and social skills and the strategies needed to deal with situations involving drugs. To promote the individual's self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth to explain the legal situation with regard to the use and misuse of drugs. To enable young people to identify sources of appropriate personal support. To ensure that pupils are confident in the classification of drugs and aware of current new developments and legislation to develop knowledge and understanding about drugs and their effects on the body. To encourage discussion and reflection, enabling children to question and develop educated and informed attitudes and opinions.

3 Education The purpose of Drug education is to raise pupil awareness of the issues surrounding the use of drugs, including those legally available, and controlled substances. Pupils will also consider social and legal issues surrounding drug taking. The School has a pro-active policy concerning these social issues, recognising that this is a whole school issue, and pupils will tackle the hinterland surrounding the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs in a structured programme through assemblies, tutorials and PSHE sessions using a range of sources. The content will be regularly reviewed by the PSHE coordinator in the Schemes of Work. Where outside speakers are invited in to talk about issues relating to drugs staff will negotiate the content of the session and be aware of sensitivities of age groups. Staff will be present at all times when visitors are present and be prepared to take an active role in the lesson. Staff will then follow up on issues raised. Pupils will also cover the relevant subject knowledge relating to these substances in science lessons. Aims related to Alcohol, Tobacco, Smoking To educate on the physical and mental effects of alcohol and tobacco on the human body. To practice personal and social skills and the strategies needed to deal with situations where either is present. To educate the pupils as to the place of alcohol and tobacco in the political, social and economic environment in which it exists. Smoking is the single most preventable cause of premature death and ill-health in our society. The school policy on smoking aims to give pupils the message that the habit creates health problems for smokers and non-smokers alike; that non-smoking represents the norm in society and that it receives support from the School and staff. Recent legislation has made it an offence for children under 18 years to be sold tobacco products. Parents The school is well aware that the primary role in children s drugs education lies with parents. We wish to build a positive and supporting relationship with the parents of children at our school through mutual understanding, rust and co-operation. In promoting this objective we will: Inform parents about the school drugs education policy and practice. Answer any questions parents may have about the drugs education their child receives in school. Take seriously any issue which parents raise with teachers about this policy or the arrangements for drugs education in the school. Inform parents about the best practice known with regard to drugs education so that the parents can support the key messages being given to children at school. Specific letters will inform parents when items related to drugs education are being taught.

4 Summary Pupils should have: A knowledge about the basic facts concerning substances including their effects and relevant legislation. An awareness of myths, misconceptions and stereotypes linked with substance abuse. A developing understanding of strategies that can be used to cope with difficult social situations. An awareness of where they can access support and advice from professionals. Staff should be aware of specific procedures and school policy to deal with any incidents; and should receive adequate training on related issues. Staff should be aware of the content of the curriculum covered and receive adequate training to deal with issues arising. Specific Procedures Staff will adhere to the specific procedures outlined in the Cognita Drugs guidelines. School is an important source of support for pupils experiencing problems with drugs and must ensure that all staff (teaching and non-teaching) understand the limits of confidentiality, balancing the desire to maintain confidentiality and support the young person with the duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of the young person and others. Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) policies and procedures must be followed. Staff cannot and should not promise total confidentiality. There are important reasons why personal and sensitive information needs to be shared in relation to Child Protection (e.g. when working with the police, referral to external agencies etc). The Data Protection Act and Crime and Disorder Act all allow personal information to be shared if there is an over-riding public interest in the first instance or to prevent crime and disorder in the second. However, in assessing the suitability of sharing information, all efforts should be made to encourage the young person to give their informed consent. If a decision is taken to share confidential information, a written record of any concerns including the reasons for breaching a pupil s confidentiality will be made. The following questions should also be considered by staff: i) How serious is the situation? ii) What immediate and significant risk does the young person face? iii) What implications (both positive and negative) could keeping a confidence have? iv) Could significant harm result from keeping the young person s disclosure confidential? Young people must, whenever possible, be made aware of the limitations of confidentiality before they disclose a confidence. If a confidence needs to be broken, the school should explain to the young person (and parents/carers as appropriate); i) Why the confidence was broken, who will be/has been informed, what will be/was disclosed. ii) How the information will be used and that their privacy will be respected and information. iii) Why the confidence was broken, who will be/has been informed. iv) What will be/was disclosed, how the information will be used and that their privacy will be respected and information.

5 Parental substance misuse has the potential to impact negatively on outcomes for children and young people. Hidden Harm: Responding to the Needs of Children of Problem Drug Users (ACMD: 2003) estimated that 2-3 per cent of children are affected by problematic parental substance use. This estimate only covers parents with serious dependencies on heroin and crack cocaine, and does not account for children affected by alcohol or other drug use in the household. Substance use in itself is not a reason for considering a child to be suffering or at risk of suffering significant harm although it may be a contributing factor. The Head, Judy Waite, will liaise with the police to agree a shared approach to dealing with any drug-related incidents. Legal drugs the police will not normally need to be involved in incidents involving legal drugs, but we may wish to inform trading standards or police about the inappropriate sale or supply of tobacco, alcohol or volatile substances to pupils in the area. Controlled drugs (including New Psychoactive Substances) in taking temporary possession of suspected controlled drugs, Milbourne will adopt the following procedures: Ensure that a second adult witness is present throughout. Seal the substance in a plastic bag and include details of the date and time of the seizure/find and the witness present. Store it in a secure location, such as a safe or other lockable container with access limited to senior members of staff. Do NOT dispose of the substance since disposal can now only be done by the constabulary. Notify the police without delay who will collect it and then store or dispose of it in line with locally agreed protocols. The law does not require a school to divulge to the police the name of the pupil(s) from whom the drugs were taken but the police advise that this is disclosed. The school should determine their position on this in advance to ensure consistency of approach. Record full details of the incident, including the police incident reference number if they are involved. Inform parents/carers, unless this is not in the best interests of the pupil. Identify any safeguarding concerns and respond appropriately. If there is a significant seizure of a suspected illegal substance, schools should inform the police at an early stage; and take steps to minimise handling to aid future forensic investigations. Searching, Screening and Confiscations (DfE: 2014) states that school staff can search a pupil for any item if the pupil agrees noting that the ability to give consent may be influenced by the child s age or other factors. Head teachers and staff authorised by them have a statutory power to search pupils or their possessions, without consent, where they have reasonable grounds for suspecting that the pupil may have a prohibited item. Prohibited items include alcohol and illegal drugs. The law says that the person conducting the search may not require the pupil to remove any clothing other than outer clothing. The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) recommends that drug dogs and drug testing should not be used for searches where there is no evidence for the presence of drugs on school premises.

6 The Head teacher takes overall responsibility for the policy and its implementation, for liaison with the Assistant Director of Education/Education Executive and any governance meetings, parent/carer(s), and appropriate outside agencies and bodies such as the LA. The Head will ensure that all staff dealing with substance issues are adequately trained and supported. Cognita schools cannot knowingly allow premises to be used for the production or supply of any controlled drug (e.g. the preparation of, or smoking of cannabis). Where it is suspected that substances are sold on the premises, details of those involved, as well as much information as possible, will be automatically passed to the police. The DSL Paul Angus has a key responsibility for drugs and will oversee and coordinate drugs issues working with DDSLS and the PSHE coordinator who has responsibility for planning and developing the school curriculum in this area. National Support & Advice from Organisations Drinkline: a free and confidential helpline for anyone who is concerned about their own or someone else s drinking: Family Lives: a charity offering support and information to anyone parenting a child or teenager. It runs a free-phone helpline and courses for parents: telephone FRANK: national drugs awareness campaign to raise awareness among young people, their parents/carers Schools can receive free resources, updates, newsletters etc. Smokefree: NHS Smoking Helpline For advice on First Aid/What to do in an emergency FRANK: Advice on what to do to help someone who s having a bad reaction to drugs Resuscitation Council (UK): Guidelines for resuscitation procedures Related Policies, Guidelines, Templates and Forms Special Educational Needs Safeguarding: Child Protection Procedures Safeguarding: Dealing with Allegations of Abuse against Teachers & Other Staff Compliments & Complaints Procedure Learning outside the Classroom: Educational Visits Accidents & Incidents Recording & Reporting Health & Safety Equality & Diversity Data Protection PHSE Policy School Exclusion Procedures Supervision Social, Moral, Spiritual & Cultural Development

7 Staff code of conduct School disciplinary procedures Anti-bullying Use of reasonable force DATE OF REVIEW: 05/01/16 DATE OF REVIEW: 01/09/16 DATE OF REVIEW: REVIEWED BY: Paul Angus REVIEWED BY: Jo Dicker REVIEWED BY: COMMENTS: COMMENTS: COMMENTS: DATE OF REVIEW: REVIEWED BY: COMMENTS: Date of next review: September 2017

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