Drugs Education Policy

Parsons Down Partnership of Schools
Drugs Education Policy
(In accordance with guidance published by West Berkshire Education Authority)
March 2014
Introduction
This policy uses the definition that a drug is:
‘A substance people take to change the way they feel, think or behave’.
(United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
The term ‘drugs’ includes:
•
an illegal drug
•
all legal drugs including alcohol, tobacco and volatile substances which can
be inhaled
•
all over-the-counter and prescription medicines
Overall Aim
‘To enable pupils to develop their knowledge, skills, attitudes and understanding about
drugs and to appreciate the benefits of a healthy lifestyle relating this to their own and
others’ actions’. DfES (2004) Drugs: Guidance for Schools
Entitlement
Our Partnership aims to provide an age appropriate programme of Drugs Education in line
with the PSHE Curriculum guidelines and the National Curriculum. Every child is entitled
to receive Drugs Education regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, age, culture, disability,
sexuality, language, special needs, disadvantaged and Looked After Children. It is our
intention that all children have the opportunity to experience a programme at a level which
is appropriate for their age and physical development with differentiated provision if
required.
In our Drugs Education Programme we aim to help pupils develop specific
protective factors by:
• Recognise that pupils are unique and valuable individuals
• Developing pupils’ self-awareness and self esteem
• Developing pupils’ decision making skills
• Providing opportunities for pupils to explore their own feelings, attitudes and needs
• Creating a climate in which pupils feel comfortable discussing their perceptions of
drugs
• Building on knowledge and understanding
• Providing accurate information and correct misunderstandings
• Developing pupils understanding of Partnership rules and laws
• Providing a range of opportunities for learning about drugs including risks and
consequences of their own and others’ action relating to drugs
• Encouraging pupils to take part in healthy activities
• Helping pupils to accept the increasing responsibility they have for their own health.
Drugs Education is specifically taught in the curriculum areas of PSHE and
Science and through the Partnership SEAL (Social ad Emotional Aspects of
Learning)
PDPS Drugs Education Policy – March 2014
1
Curriculum Content
Knowledge and understanding
• Be aware of Partnership procedures relating to medicines, alcohol, tobacco, solvents
and illegal drugs.
• Know how their body works and how to take care of it
• Know that medicines may be prescribed or bought ‘over the counter’
• Know that there are illegal drugs and the effects of these on behaviour and on
physical health
• Be aware of the laws relating to legal and illegal drugs
• Know who to ask for help when they have concerns or questions (parents, teachers,
school nurse)
Skills
• Be able to identify risks in given situations
• Be able to cope with peer influences
• Be able to talk with adults
• Be able to make decisions and be assertive in situations related to drug use
• Be able to follow safety procedures when using medicines
Attitudes and values
• Value themselves and others
• Explore and recognise stereotypes
• Recognise that some role models for young people take drugs (e.g. in sport) and
explore their feelings and views about this.
Teaching Strategies
• Role Play
• Discussions
• Drama
• Debates
• Creative writing
• Questionnaires
• Structured games
• Circle time
Extended learning opportunities:
• The Life Education Bus
• The Orison Project
• School Nurse
• West Berkshire Education Safety Team
• Junior Citizenship Day for Year 6
Responding to questions and sensitive issues
Although we cannot promise confidentiality we encourage children to ask questions.
Assessment and monitoring
Pupils’ progress is assessed and monitored during the year through normal teacher
planning and observation and in class progress records. Parents are informed of their
child’s progress at parents’ evenings and via the annual reports which are sent home in the
summer term.
PDPS Drugs Education Policy – March 2014
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Useful Resources for Children
Websites:
Go Givers
BBC Schools
Drugs topic box
The Good Health Guide to Drugs (school video 303 in drugs topic box)
Citizenship
Substance Misuse (school video 390 in drugs topic box)
Support and Resources for Schools
West Berkshire LA – Schools Drugs Consultant, Natalie Ofkants
Berkshire PCT School Nurses
School Police Liaison Officers
Roles and Responsibilities
PSHE Coordinator’s Role
The PSHE Coordinator is responsible for leading each school in the development,
coordination and review of the drugs programmes as part of the PSHE programme.
Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff
The Partnership aims to meet the training needs of all the staff. The Health coordinator is
responsible for in-service training relating to drugs. (An induction programme has been
established for all new staff, which includes discussion of school policies.)
Pupils
Our Drugs Education is planned according to the age and needs of the pupils. When
planning our Drug Education we establish what our pupils existing knowledge is and use
this as our starting point. The pupils are consulted about their views on the Drug
Education they receive through opportunities to evaluate the programme during;
• Circle time
• Class topic time
• School Council
• Individual feedback
Drugs on the Partnership Premises
The Partnership premises will include the school site, journeys taken by pupils/staff during
the Partnership day, school visits and residential visits.
Medicines in the Partnership
Please refer to the First Aid and Management of Medicines Policy.
Defining a Drug Related Incident
A drug related incident is defined as:
• Drugs or associated paraphernalia being found on the Partnership premises
• A member of the Partnership community found in possession of drugs or associated
paraphernalia whilst on the Partnership site
• A member of the Partnership community thought to be under the influence of drugs
• A member of the Partnership community discloses that they (or a family
member/friend) are misusing drugs
• A member of the Partnership community is found to be supplying drugs on the
Partnership premises
PDPS Drugs Education Policy – March 2014
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•
•
A parent/carer or staff member is thought to be under the influence of drugs on the
Partnership premises
A member of the Partnership community has information that the illegitimate
sale/supply of drugs is taking place in the local area
Dealing with drugs related incidents (in line with West Berkshire
guidelines)
If illegal drugs are found or suspected on the Partnership premises, or if a pupil is found
under the influence of an unknown drug the procedure is as follows:
1.
If medical help is needed, seek or provide it at once.
2.
Confiscate any drug (ensuring that you have a witness); ask what it is, in case
a doctor needs to know.
3.
Give the sample to ambulance crew/hospital if required or
4.
Give substance to the Executive Headteacher to record and store carefully.
5.
Inform the Executive Headteacher.
6.
Determine how serious the incident is:
•
Is it an accident? A mistake? Deliberate?
•
Does it involve possession? Taking a drug? Other pupils?
7.
Assess the pupil’s need in terms of education, support, sanctions:
•
What can be learned from the incident?
•
What support is needed and what is an appropriate sanction?
8.
Consider the needs of any other pupils involved or implicated.
9.
Consider informing other agencies, e.g. parents, police, LA.
10.
Complete Drugs Related Incidents Form as appropriate and send to the LA
Searching a pupil
Staff will not search a pupil if suspected of concealing unauthorised drugs. The pupil will
be encouraged to voluntarily hand over any drugs. If a personal search is needed and the
drug suspected is illegal the police will be called.
Confiscation and storage of drugs (or paraphernalia) found
Staff can take temporary possession of a substance suspected of being illegal for the
purposes of protection. Confiscated drugs will be placed securely in the Executive
Headteacher’s Office and disposed of appropriately.
Police Involvement
The Partnership liaises with the local police. If an incident involving illegal drugs arises
the Partnership may contact the designated officer to discuss the case and seek advice
without naming the pupil. There is no legal obligation to inform the police of an incident
but it is good practice to contact the designated officer with whom a relationship has been
built to discuss a case and ask for advice without needing to divulge a pupil’s name.
Intoxicated Parents/Carers on the Partnership Premises
•
Maintain a calm atmosphere
•
Focus on the child’s welfare rather than the parent/carers behaviour
•
Stall for time, if appropriate, to allow other children to leave the premises
•
Discuss alternative arrangements for the child/parent to get home (eg. if
driving)
Pupil Welfare and Needs
The following local services are also referred to by the Partnership if or when a pupil needs
extra support and care:
•
School nurse,
•
Social services,
PDPS Drugs Education Policy – March 2014
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•
EWO
For help or advice with any of the above please contact the Headteacher or telephone
• School Drugs Consultant - Natalie Ofkants 07833 105575
[email protected]
• School Police Liaison Officers
References
•
Local and National Guidance and Support
•
The following national and local guidance documents have been used to draw
up this policy:
o ‘West Berkshire Council: School Drugs Policy and Guidance’
o The National Curriculum Handbook for Primary School Teachers 2000
o Drugs: Guidance for schools DFES/0092/2004
Parents are kept informed about the developments in our curriculum and this includes
drugs education. They are encouraged to discuss concerns with us at anytime.
This policy should be read in conjunction with:
Behaviour Policy
Exclusion Policy
First Aid and Management of Medicines Policy
Safeguarding Policy
PSHE policy
CPD Policy
Health and Safety Policy
Curriculum Policy
Teaching and Learning Policy
Whistleblowing Policy and Confidential Reporting Code
This policy is regularly monitored by the Subject Co-ordinator and the Governing Body,
and it will be fully reviewed every two years.
Policy Agreed: March 2014
Review Date: March 2016
Chair of Governors ……………………………………………………………………………….
Appendices: Appendix 1 – Drug Education and Incident Managements – Support and
Training Available to Schools.
Appendix 2 – Investigation of a Drug related Incident
Appendix 3 - Record of Substance Misuse Related Incident
PDPS Drugs Education Policy – March 2014
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Appendix 1 – Drug Education and Incident Managements –
Support and Training Available to Schools.
1. Training For Staff – Managing Incidents and General Drug
Awareness
Type of Support
Required
Assessing pupil needs in
terms of support
/education /sanction
following an incident
Identifying substances
Advice on the Protocol
and procedure for
managing incidents
Training for all staff,
parents and governors in
any of the following;
Basic Drugs
Awareness
Drugs Policy
Managing Incidents
Planning Drug
Education
Programmes
Support in delivering
drug education to pupils
as part of school PSHCE
programme
Who Can Help?
The Edge
01635 582002
http://www.edgecrew.co.uk/
[email protected]
In an emergency – 999
Or non-emergency 101 and:
Thames Valley Police – Schools Officer
07800 702417
[email protected]
Commissioning Manager (Substance
Misuse)
Public Health
West Berkshire Council
07879 242123
[email protected]
The Edge
01635 582002
[email protected]
Contact Name
Didge Oku
Tim Emery
Ian Wootton
Didge Oku
Ian Wootton
Commissioning Manager (Substance
Misuse)
Public Health
West Berkshire Council
07879 242123
[email protected]
The Edge
01635 582002
Commissioning Manager (Substance
Misuse)
Public Health
West Berkshire Council
07879 242123
[email protected]
Thames Valley Police – Schools Officer
07800 702417
[email protected]
PDPS Drugs Education Policy – March 2014
Didge Oku
Ian Wootton
Tim Emery
6
2. Support For Pupils – Both Those ‘At Risk’ and General
Type of Support Required
One-one support for
individual pupils identified as
at ‘at risk’ in or out of school
PSHE Enrichment Programme
(Drugs) for vulnerable pupils
Support, advice and
information for adult (over 18)
substance mis-users
--------------------------------If the adult is a student contact
The Edge
If the adult is not a student
contact Turning Point
Generic Counselling for
individual pupils (11 years old
and over) who have a range of
problems
Who Can Help?
The Edge
01635 582002
[email protected]
The Edge
01635 582002
[email protected]
Contact Name
Didge Oku
The Edge
01635 582002
Turning Point
01635 237795
Time2Talk
01635 581421
http://t2twb.org
General advice and support for Connexions
individual pupils
Newbury Centre
Tel: 0845 408 5010
http://connexionsberkshire.org.uk/
3. Support for Families and Parents
Type of Support
Required
Support for families of
individual clients
Basic Drugs Awareness –
Parents Evenings
Who can help?
The Edge
01635 582002
[email protected])
582002
The Edge
01635 582002
[email protected]
Commissioning Manager
(Substance Misuse)
Public Health
West Berkshire Council
07879 242123
[email protected]
PDPS Drugs Education Policy – March 2014
Contact Name
Didge Oku
Didge Oku
Ian Wootton
7
Appendix 2 – Investigation of a Drug related Incident
Name of Pupil
Year Group
Tutor Group
Date and Time of Incident
Teacher Completing This Form
Possible Questions
Notes
Is the incident a rumour, suspicion or is
there evidence available?
Medical needs of pupil?
Personal circumstances which might need
to be taken into account
Accommodation, medical, family, carers
Pupil’s perspective on the incident
Admits? Denies?
Pupil is aware / unaware of school rules
and of the
consequences of their behaviour?
Pupil’s level of knowledge.
Well informed, naïve, knows very little?
How does the pupil feel about the
situation?
Upset? Not upset?
Substance is legal or illegal?
Amount of substance being used.
Personal use? Supply?
Pupil is aware of local agencies who can
support them (eg The Edge)
PDPS Drugs Education Policy – March 2014
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Pupil’s expectations about what will
happen next?
Effect of the incident on other pupils?
PDPS Drugs Education Policy – March 2014
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Appendix 3
Record of Substance Misuse Related
Incident (SMRI)
INSTRUCTIONS
For help and advice contact Didge Oku (078997 96763) manager of The Edge or
Ian Wootton (07879 242123) Public Health and Wellbeing
1. Please complete this form WITHOUT identifying the pupil involved.
Emergency/
Intoxication
Suspicion,
OFF
premises
Suspicion,
ON
premises
Discovery,
OFF
premises
Discovery,
ON
premises
Pupil
disclosure
Parental
use
Parent.carer
expresses
concern
Tick one or more of the boxes to indicate the category
Name of pupil*:
Tutor group*:
Name of School:
(*For school records only)
Gender:
Male / Female
(delete as
necessary)
Date of incident:
Age of pupil:
Ethnicity of pupil:
am / pm
/
/ 20__
Report form completed by:
(For DAT records)
First Aid given? No
Time of incident:
Yes
No
Ambulance/Doctor* called?
If Yes, by whom:
Yes
If Yes, by whom:
(*delete as necessary)
Sample found?
Drug involved (if known):
Yes / No *
(*delete as
(e.g. Alcohol, Paracetomol, Ecstacy)
appropriate)
Name of Senior Staff involved:
Where retained?
If not retained, destroyed at what time?
Parent/Carer informed by:
Pupil referred to The Edge
Parental consent sought
Police informed: Yes /
No *
Time:
Yes / No
Yes / No
URN given:
am/pm
Witnesses:
(*delete as appropriate)
Brief description of symptoms/situation:
Other action taken: (e,g, other agency involved; Ed. Psych. Report requested; case conference
called; pupils/staff informed; sanction imposed; GP/Police consulted about drug)
(continue on blank sheet if necessary)
PLEASE SEND A COPY OF THIS FORM TO: Ros Haynes, Service Improvement
Manager, West Berkshire Council, West Street House, Newbury, West
Berkshire, RG14 1BZ