HOLMESDALE COMMUNITY INFANT SCHOOL DRUG, ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO EDUCATION POLICY Agreed by Staff... March 2012 Approved by Governors... March 2012 Review Date... March 2014 DRUG, ALCOHOL & TOBACCO EDUCATION POLICY: MARCH 2012 14R 1
Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Education Policy Policy Development This policy has been developed in consultation with: Members of the Senior Management Team Governing Body Staff The policy reflects the guidance of national bodies i.e. DfE and Surrey County Guidance Definition of Terms Drug: A drug is a substance taken into the body to change it in some way, it includes all legal drugs including alcohol and tobacco, all illegal drugs, volatile substances e.g. solvents, over the counter and prescription medicines. Drug use: the consumption of a drug. All drug use, including medicinal use, carries the potential for harm. Drug misuse: drug taking through which harm may occur, whether through intoxication, breach of medical advice, breach of school rules or the law Drug abuse: drug taking, which harms health or functioning. It may be part of a wider spectrum of problematic or harmful behaviour. Rationale for providing Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco (DAT) Education Children need knowledge and understanding to equip them to keep safe in society. The school recognises the need to: Prepare and equip pupils for life in a drug using society. Deal with a broad range of drug related situations and incidents, which may occur in the lives of our pupils, and others involved in the life of a school. Aims of Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Education in the Curriculum Pupils will have encountered the use of drugs as medicines and some may be aware of illegal drugs. Therefore: The overall aim of drug education in the school is to equip pupils with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to enable them to be in a good position to make informed, healthy choices and decisions and to prevent or reduce the harmful consequences of drug misuse. DRUG, ALCOHOL & TOBACCO EDUCATION POLICY: MARCH 2012 14R 2
Organisation of drug, alcohol and tobacco education within the curriculum Drug Education is provided within the broader framework of PSHE/Citizenship, where wider issues of promoting health, positive behaviour and social responsibility can be addressed and where drug misuse is one component. (Specific drug related information is also provided within the statutory science curriculum) PSHE is taught weekly, often through forums such as circle time where issues can be discussed. Drug education will form part of the PSHE curriculum, and it will also be taught as part of the science curriculum. A spiral scheme of work covers both the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. The school acknowledges that a positive, health promoting ethos helps pupils to feel valued and part of the school community and in doing so helps build self esteem and self images that may help pupils to cope more effectively in drug related situations. Partnership with Parents The school believes that it is important to have the support of parents and the wider school community for the drug education programme. Parents will be given the opportunity to find out about and discuss the policy and provision. Visiting Speakers Visiting speakers from the community, e.g. Health promotion specialists, community police officers or the school nurse can make a valuable contribution to the programme, and will be invited to talk with the children if appropriate. Their input is carefully planned, specifically with the children s age group in mind, and to fit in and complement the programme. Teaching and Learning Methods In keeping with the school s approach to PSHE/Citizenship, a variety of teaching and learning methods are used as appropriate to the topic and needs of the pupils, e.g. thought showers, role play, and group discussion. These strategies enable pupils to: Place new learning in the context of previous experience. Explore currently held personal and cultural beliefs and values in the context of new learning. Apply new learning to other situations. To make and act on informed choices. Monitoring and Evaluating The PSHE/RE team will monitor delivery of the programme through discussion with teaching staff to ensure consistent and coherent curriculum provision. Evaluation of the programme s effectiveness will be conducted on the basis of staff meetings to review and share experience. DRUG, ALCOHOL & TOBACCO EDUCATION POLICY: MARCH 2012 14R 3
Substances on Site The school s position on legally available substances is as follows: Tobacco The school operates a no smoking policy at all times throughout the building and grounds. This policy applies to employees, parents and visitors. This is in line with County guidance, issued in 1995 and legislation effective from July 2007. Alcohol The head teacher must be consulted and permission obtained if alcohol is to be consumed at any school function. If any alcohol is to be stored on site for a function, it must be kept in a designated area, which is not accessible to the children. Solvents The school recognises that many ordinary substances lend themselves to misuse and therefore need to be carefully stored and managed, away from where children can access unless under adult supervision. These include correction fluid and aerosol sprays. Medication: Prescription drugs Where medicines need to be given during the school day, parents should bring in a written request and speak to office staff personally. The medicine, clearly named and marked with dosage/time to be given, must be handed to the office where it will be safely stored where children cannot access it. The dosage and time the medicine was given will be logged in a record book. Asthma inhalers will also be kept in the office, clearly labelled with the child s name on it. Epi-pens and piriton for children who suffer severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis must also be clearly named and kept in the office. Staff are trained to use the Epi-pen. Staff are not obliged to administer medicines. School Excursions The school s policy on drugs applies to all school excursions. The Class Teacher or Leaching Assistant will carry any medication that a child may need whilst on the trip. Responding to Drug Related Incidents The school acknowledges pastoral responsibility in this area and seeks to work closely with families and support agencies. All staff in schools have a duty of care towards their pupils. In handling a drugs related incident, it is therefore the care, welfare and safety of the child that must be paramount. If a child is found to be in possession of, or receiving a substance or drug, such as powder, solvents, a tablet, tobacco or alcohol, the school s duty of care and the law allows a member of staff to take possession of the drug to protect the pupil from possible harm. It is suggested, that where possible, this possession will take place in front of a witness. The drug should then be disposed of safely, and arrangements for this can be made through the local police. They can also help in identifying the substance. DRUG, ALCOHOL & TOBACCO EDUCATION POLICY: MARCH 2012 14R 4
Emergency Situations If a child is deemed to be in danger as a result of drug misuse, e.g. collapsed, unconscious, eyes dilated, intoxication; the following course of action should be followed: Call for an ambulance and briefly outline the situation Summon help from another member of staff and get a trained school first aider. Provide emergency aid to child as appropriate. E.g. if unconscious recovery position. Notify Head or SLT member. Notify child s parents. Remove safely and place in sealed container, in presence of adult witness, any substances at the scene, to retain and give to ambulance staff. Record incident in schools medical or incidents book. Written report to the Head. Senior Management Involvement Where there is evidence or concern that a child was found with a substance that may be illegal, the SMT will need to inform: The Parents they should be made aware that the police are likely to be involved. The Police although this is not a statutory requirement, it is advisable to inform the police about any illegal drug related incidents. Governors Press Office LEA schools are advised to pre-empt any media interest and involvement by contacting their local Area Office and Surrey County Council Press Office. Any media therefore can be redirected to them who will deal with the press on the school s behalf. Health and Safety The Site Manager should regularly check the school site; especially school boundaries, for the paraphernalia of drug misuse. When handling substances believed to be harmful, ensure they do not come into direct contact with the skin. Confidentiality: Where a pupil discloses information that may suggest that he/she is at risk, the pupil must be made aware that the class teacher cannot guarantee confidentiality. (See Child Protection Policy) The Head must be informed of the situation immediately. Drug/Substance Abusing Parents The school recognises that some of its pupils may have a parent whose drug use (legal or illegal) is problematic. The pupil s welfare in this case is paramount and the school will act, within the legal limits DRUG, ALCOHOL & TOBACCO EDUCATION POLICY: MARCH 2012 14R 5
that it can, to support the pupil in a variety of ways, practically and emotionally. Key staff involved in such support will receive guidance and training in this area. If a parent or another adult arrives to collect a child, clearly under the influence of alcohol, the Head Teacher should be informed. Staff should not confront the parent but encourage them to come inside school to sit quietly and talk with them. Should a parent who has driven to pick up their child insist on taking that child in a car, staff cannot refuse to hand over the child but should inform the police. Staff can prevent the adult from taking any child other than their own. Training and Support for Staff Support for teaching and understanding drugs related issues will be evaluated through staff meetings, and when necessary, appropriate training will be received. Approved by Governors (PDWB Committee) March 2012 Policy Review March 2014 DRUG, ALCOHOL & TOBACCO EDUCATION POLICY: MARCH 2012 14R 6